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OET by section 1COR 14:1

1COR 14:1–14:25 ©

Comparing prophesying with speaking in other languages

This is still a very early look into the unfinished text of the Open English Translation of the Bible. Please double-check the text in advance before using in public.

Readers’ Version

Literal Version 

14:1 Comparing prophesying with speaking in other languages

14Aim to show love, and eagerly strive for spiritual things—especially the ability to prophesy, 2because anyone speaking another language isn’t speaking to the people, but to God, because no one understands it, but they’re speaking about spiritual mysteries. 3However, anyone who’s prophesying, speaks to the people for their instruction and encouragement and comfort. 4Anyone who’s speaking in another language instructs themself, but when people prophesy, they’re instructing the whole assembly.

5Now I’d like it if you all spoke in other languages, but I’d like it better if you could all be prophesying. The person prophesying is more helpful than someone speaking in other languages, unless they translate so that the assembly can be instructed. 6But now brothers and sisters, if I come to you speaking in other languages, how can I be of benefit to you all? Only if I share a revelation with you all, or some knowledge, or a prophecy or teaching.

7Even the tune coming from non-living things like musical instruments can’t be recognised unless the distinct notes can be distinguished, 8because if the trumpet produces an unclear sound, how will the soldiers know to prepare for battle. 9Similarly with all of you—unless your words are intelligible, how will anyone know what you’re saying? You’ll just be talking to the wind. 10There’s certainly many different languages in the world, but none of them are without meaning, 11so if I don’t know the meaning of someone’s language, I’m a foreigner to that person, and that person will be a foreigner to me 12and it’s the same with all of you. Because you all want spiritual things in order to help grow the assembly, then strive to have many of them.

13So then, let anyone who’s speaking in another language, pray that they will be able to translate it. 14When I pray in another language, my spirit prays but my mind is unproductive, 15so what should I do? Well, I’ll pray with my spirit, but I’ll also pray with my mind. I’ll sing with my spirit, but I’ll also sing with my mind. 16Otherwise, if you speak outa blessing in the spirit, how can the ordinary listeners say ‘May it be so’ after you give thanks, since they wouldn’t know what you’ve been saying. 17Yes, you’d certainly give thanks well, but the other people wouldn’t be encouraged.

18I thank God that I speak in other language more than all of you, 19but with the assembly, I’d prefer to speak five words with my mind so that I can instruct others, rather than thousands of words in another language.

20Brothers and sisters, don’t be childish in your thinking. You all can be like infants with respect to evil, but in everything else, be mature in your thinking. 21The prophet Isayah wrote:[ref]

‘I’ll speak to this nation

through foreign languages and strangers’ lips,

but even then they won’t listen to me,’

says the master. 22So then, speaking in other languages is a sign, not for believers, but for unbelievers. However in contrast, prophecy is not for unbelievers, but for believers.

23So if the whole assembly gathered together at the same place and they all spoke in other languages, and then some inquirers or unbelievers came in, wouldn’t they say that you’re all crazy? 24But if they were all prophesying instead and some inquirers or unbelievers came in, they’d be convicted of their sinfulness and called to account by them all. 25The prophecies would expose the secrets of their hearts, so then they’d bow down and worship God, and exclaim, “God is really here among you all!”


14Be_pursuing the love, and be_being_zealous the for_spiritual matters, but more that you_all_may_be_prophesying.
2For/Because the one speaking with_a_tongue, not to_people is_speaking, but to_god, because/for no_one is_hearing him, but in_spirit he_is_speaking mysteries.
3But the one prophesying, to_people is_speaking building, and exhortation, and consolation.
4The one speaking in_a_tongue, himself is_building, but the one prophesying, the_assembly is_building.
5And I_am_wanting all you_all to_be_speaking with_tongues, but rather in_order_that you_all_may_be_prophesying, greater is and the one prophesying, than the one speaking in_tongues, besides except not/lest he_may_be_interpreting, in_order_that the assembly building may_receive.
6But now brothers, if I_may_come to you_all with_tongues speaking, what you_all I_will_be_benefiting, if not to_you_all I_may_speak, either in revelation, or in knowledge, or in prophecy, or in teaching?
7Likewise the soulless things a_sound giving, whether flute, or harp, if distinction to_the sounds not may_give, how will_be_being_known what is being_playing_the_flute or which being_playing_the_harp?
8For/Because also if an_uncertain a_trumpet sound may_give, who will_be_preparing himself for war?
9Thus also you_all through the tongue, if not easily_recognized speech you_all_may_give, how will_be_being_known what is being_spoken?
For/Because you_all_will_be into the_air speaking.
10So_many if it_might_happen, kinds of_languages are in the_world, and not_one kind silent is.
11Therefore if not I_may_have_known the power of_the sound, I_will_be to_the one speaking a_foreigner, and the one speaking with me a_foreigner.
12Thus also you_all, because zealous you_all_are of_spirits, because/for the building of_the assembly, be_seeking that you_all_may_be_being_plentiful.
13Therefore the one speaking in_a_tongue, let_be_praying that he_may_be_interpreting.
14If for I_may_be_praying with_a_tongue, the spirit of_me is_praying, but the the_mind of_me unfruitful is.
15Therefore what it_is?
I_will_be_praying with_the spirit, but I_will_be_praying also with_the mind.
I_will_be_singing_praises with_the spirit, but I_will_be_singing_praises also with_the mind.
16Otherwise if you_may_be_blessing in_spirit, the one fulfilling the place of_the inquirer, how he_will_be_saying, the Truly, at the your thanksgiving, since what you_are_saying, not he_has_known?
17You for indeed well are_giving_thanks, but the other one not is_being_built.
18I_am_giving_thanks to_ the _god, all of_you more than, with_tongues I_am_speaking, 19but in five, the_assembly I_am_wanting words with_the mind of_me to_speak, in_order_that also others I_may_instruct, than ten_thousand words in a_tongue.
20Brothers, not little_children be_becoming in_your thinking, but in_the evil, be_child_like, and in_your thinking, mature be_becoming.
21In the law it_has_been_written, that By foreign_languages and by the_lips of_others, I_will_be_speaking to_ the _people thisand not_even thus they_will_be_listening_to from_me, is_saying the_master.
22So_then the tongues for a_sign are, not to_the ones believing, but to_the unbelievers, and the prophecy, not to_the unbelievers, but to_the ones believing.
23Therefore if may_come_together the assembly whole at the same place, and all may_be_speaking with_tongues, and may_come_in inquirers or unbelievers, not they_will_be_saying that you_all_are_raving_mad?
24But if all may_be_prophesying, and may_come_in a_certain unbeliever or inquirer, he_is_being_rebuked by all, he_is_being_examined by all, 25the secrets of_the heart of_him manifest is_becoming, and thus having_fallen on ^his_face, he_will_be_prostrating the before_god reporting, that Really the god among you_all is.

1COR 14:1–14:25 ©

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