14Follow the way of loveⁿ and eagerly desire^o gifts of the Spirit,^p especially prophecy.^q ²For anyone who speaks in a tongue^a^r does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them;^s they utter mysteries^t by the Spirit. ³But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening,^u encouraging^v and comfort. ⁴Anyone who speaks in a tongue^w edifies^x themselves, but the one who prophesies^y edifies the church. ⁵I would like every one of you to speak in tongues,^b but I would rather have you prophesy.^z The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues,^c unless someone interprets, so that the church may be edified.^a

⁶Now, brothers and sisters, if I come to you and speak in tongues, what good will I be to you, unless I bring you some revelation^b or knowledge^c or prophecy or word of instruction?^d

Read in Logos

Footnotes

aOr in another language; also in verses 4, 13, 14, 19, 26 and 27
bOr in other languages; also in verses 6, 18, 22, 23 and 39
cOr in other languages; also in verses 6, 18, 22, 23 and 39

Cross references

n 1 Co 16:14
over 39; 1 Co 12:31
pSee 1 Co 12:1
qver 39; See Eph 4:11
rSee Mk 16:17
sver 6–11, 16
t 1 Co 13:2
uver 4, 5, 12, 17, 26; See Ro 14:19
vver 31
wSee Mk 16:17
xSee ver 3
ySee 1 Co 13:2
z Nu 11:29
aSee ver 3
bver 26; Eph 1:17
cSee 2 Co 8:7
d Ro 6:17

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit. On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation. The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church. Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up.

Now, brothers, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit you unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching?

CSBChristian Standard Bible

Pursue love and desire spiritual gifts, and especially that you may prophesy. For the person who speaks in a tongue is not speaking to people but to God, since no one understands him; he speaks mysteries in the Spirit. On the other hand, the person who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouragement, and consolation. The person who speaks in a tongue builds himself up, but the one who prophesies builds up the church. I wish all of you spoke in tongues, but even more that you prophesied. The person who prophesies is greater than the person who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets so that the church may be built up.

So now, brothers and sisters, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit you unless I speak to you with a revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching?

NLTNew Living Translation

Let love be your highest goal! But you should also desire the special abilities the Spirit gives—especially the ability to prophesy. For if you have the ability to speak in tongues, you will be talking only to God, since people won’t be able to understand you. You will be speaking by the power of the Spirit, but it will all be mysterious. But one who prophesies strengthens others, encourages them, and comforts them. A person who speaks in tongues is strengthened personally, but one who speaks a word of prophecy strengthens the entire church.

I wish you could all speak in tongues, but even more I wish you could all prophesy. For prophecy is greater than speaking in tongues, unless someone interprets what you are saying so that the whole church will be strengthened.

Dear brothers and sisters, if I should come to you speaking in an unknown language, how would that help you? But if I bring you a revelation or some special knowledge or prophecy or teaching, that will be helpful.

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

Pursue love, and strive for spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. For the one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God, because no one understands, but by the Spirit he speaks mysteries. But the one who prophesies speaks to people edification and encouragement and consolation. The one who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but the one who prophesies edifies the church. Now I want you all to speak with tongues, but even more that you may prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks with tongues, unless he interprets, in order that the church may receive edification.

But now, brothers, if I come to you speaking with tongues, how do I benefit you, unless I speak to you either with a revelation or with knowledge or with a prophecy or with a teaching?

KJV 1900King James Version

Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy. For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries. But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort. He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church. I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying. Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?

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