1 COR 14:5 Parallel Verse View

Note: This view shows ‘verses’ which are not natural language units and hence sometimes only part of a sentence will be visible—click on any Bible version abbreviation down the left-hand side to see the verse in more of its context. Normally the OET discourages the reading of individual ‘verses’, but this view is only designed as a tool for doing comparisons of different translations—the older translations are further down the page (so you can read up from the bottom to trace the English translation history). The OET segments on this page are still very early looks into the unfinished texts of the Open English Translation of the Bible—please double-check these texts in advance before using in public.

Text critical issues=small word differences Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

OET (OET-RV) Now 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.

Key: khaki:verbs, light-green:nominative/subject, orange:accusative/object, cyan:dative/indirect object.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).

ULT Now I desire you all to speak in tongues, but even more, that you might prophesy. Now the one prophesying is greater than the one speaking in tongues (unless he would interpret, so that the church might receive building up).

UST I want all of you to talk in unknown languages. What I want even more, however, is that you might proclaim what God says. Proclaiming what God says is more important and helpful than talking in unknown languages. Of course, if someone explains the unknown language, then it too can help believers become stronger.

BSB I wish that all of you could speak in tongues, but {I would} rather have you prophesy. He who prophesies [is] greater than [one who] speaks in tongues, unless he interprets so that the church may be edified.

MSB I wish that all of you could speak in tongues, but {I would} rather have you prophesy. For[fn] he who prophesies [is] greater than [one who] speaks in tongues, unless he interprets so that the church may be edified.

BLB Now I desire you all to speak in tongues, but rather that you should prophesy. Now the one prophesying is greater than the one speaking in tongues, unless he should interpret, so that the church might receive edification.

AICNT I wish that you all spoke in tongues, but even more that you would prophesy; for the one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless they interpret, so that the church may receive edification.

OEB Now I am happy for you all to speak in “tongues,” but much more I wish that you should preach. A preacher is worth more than one who speaks in “tongues,” unless they interpret their words, so that the faith of the church may be built up.

WEBBE Now I desire to have you all speak with other languages, but even more that you would prophesy. For he is greater who prophesies than he who speaks with other languages, unless he interprets, that the assembly may be built up.

WMBB (Same as above)

NET I wish you all spoke in tongues, but even more that you would prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets so that the church may be strengthened.

LSV and I wish you all to speak with tongues, and more that you may prophesy, for greater is he who is prophesying than he who is speaking with tongues, except one may interpret, that the Assembly may receive edification.

FBV Those who speak for God are more important than those who speak in tongues, unless they interpret what's been said, so that the church can be built up.

TCNT Now I would like all of you to speak in tongues, but even more that you would prophesy. [fn]For greater is he who prophesies than he who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be edified.

14:5 For greater ¦ Greater CT

T4T I would like you all to have the ability to speak in languages [MTY] you have not learned. But I would like even more for you to have the ability to speak messages that come directly from God. People can speak messages in a language that they have not learned, but if there is no one there who can explain the meaning, that situation is not as helpful to the congregation as speaking messages that come directly from God in the language that the congregation knows.

LEB 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.

BBE Now though it is my desire for you all to have the power of tongues, it would give me more pleasure to be hearing the prophet's word from you; for this is a greater thing than using tongues, if the sense is not given at the same time, for the good of the church.

Moff Now I would like you all to speak with "tongues," but I would prefer you to prophesy. The man who prophesies is higher than the man who speaks with "tongues"--unless indeed the latter interprets, so that the church may get edification.

Wymth I should be right glad were you all to speak in `tongues,' but yet more glad were you all to prophesy. And, in fact, the man who prophesies is superior to him who speaks in `tongues,' except when the latter can interpret in order that the Church may get a blessing.

ASV Now I would have you all speak with tongues, but rather that ye should prophesy: and greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.

DRA And I would have you all to speak with tongues, but rather to prophesy. For greater is he that prophesieth, than he that speaketh with tongues: unless perhaps he interpret, that the church may receive edification.

YLT and I wish you all to speak with tongues, and more that ye may prophecy, for greater is he who is prophesying than he who is speaking with tongues, except one may interpret, that the assembly may receive edification.

Drby Now I desire that ye should all speak with tongues, but rather that ye should prophesy. But greater is he that prophesies than he that speaks with tongues, unless he interpret, that the assembly may receive edification.

RV Now I would have you all speak with tongues, but rather that ye should prophesy: and greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.
(Now I would have you all speak with tongues, but rather that ye/you_all should prophesy: and greater is he that prophesieth/prophesies than he that speaketh/speaks with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying. )

SLT And I will ye all to speak with tongues, and rather that ye prophesy; for greater he prophesying, than he speaking with tongues, unless he interpret accurately, that the church receive building up.

Wbstr I would that ye all spoke in languages, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh in languages, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.

KJB-1769 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.
(I would that ye/you_all all spake with tongues, but rather that ye/you_all prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth/prophesies than he that speaketh/speaks with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying. )

KJB-1611 I would that yee all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is hee that prophesieth, then hee that speaketh with tongues, except hee interprete, that the Church may receiue edifying.
(I would that ye/you_all all spake with tongues, but rather that ye/you_all prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth/prophesies, then he that speaketh/speaks with tongues, except he interprete, that the Church may receive edifying.)

Bshps I woulde yt ye al spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: For greater is he that prophesieth, then he that speaketh with tongues, except he expounde it, that the Churche may haue edifiyng.
(I would it ye/you_all all spake with tongues, but rather that ye/you_all prophesied: For greater is he that prophesieth/prophesies, then he that speaketh/speaks with tongues, except he expounde it, that the Church may have edifiing.)

Gnva I would that ye all spake strange languages, but rather that ye prophecied: for greater is hee that prophecieth, then hee that speaketh diuers tongues, except hee expound it, that the Church may receiue edification.
(I would that ye/you_all all spake strange languages, but rather that ye/you_all prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth/prophesies, then he that speaketh/speaks diverse/various tongues, except he expound it, that the Church may receive edification. )

Cvdl I wolde that ye all spake with tunges, but rather that ye prophecied. For greater is he that prophecieth, then he that speaketh wt tuges: excepte he also expounde it, that the congregacion maye haue edifienge.
(I would that ye/you_all all spake with tongues, but rather that ye/you_all prophesied. For greater is he that prophesieth/prophesies, then he that speaketh/speaks with tuges: except he also expounde it, that the congregation may have edifienge.)

TNT I wolde that ye all spake with tonges: but rather that ye prophesied. For greater is he that prophisieth? then he that speaketh with tonges except he expounde it also that the congregacion maye have edifyinge.
(I would that ye/you_all all spake with tongues: but rather that ye/you_all prophesied. For greater is he that prophisieth? then he that speaketh/speaks with tongues except he expounde it also that the congregation may have edifyinge. )

Wycl And Y wole, that alle ye speke in tungis, but more that ye prophecie. For he that prophecieth, is more than he that spekith in langagis; but perauenture he expoune, that the chirche take edificacioun.
(And I will, that all ye/you_all speak in tongues, but more that ye/you_all prophecie. For he that prophesieth/prophesies, is more than he that speaketh/speaks in languages; but peradventure/perhaps he expoune, that the church take edification.)

Luth Ich wollte, daß ihr alle mit Zungen reden könntet, aber viel mehr, daß ihr weissagetet. Denn der da weissaget, ist größer, denn der mit Zungen redet, es sei denn, daß er es auch auslege, daß die Gemeinde davon gebessert werde.
(I wanted, that you(pl)/their/her all with tongues talk could, but many more, that you(pl)/their/her prophesiedt. Because the/of_the there prophesies(v), is bigger, because/than the/of_the with tongues talks, it be because/than, that he it also auslege, that the Gemeinde of_that givessert become.)

ClVg Volo autem omnes vos loqui linguis: magis autem prophetare. Nam major est qui prophetat, quam qui loquitur linguis; nisi forte interpretetur ut ecclesia ædificationem accipiat.
(I_want however everyone you(pl) to_speak tongues/languages: more however a_prophetre. For/Surely major/greater it_is who/which a_prophett, how who/which speaks tongues/languages; except perhaps interpretetur as assembly/church building let_him_accept. )

UGNT θέλω δὲ πάντας ὑμᾶς λαλεῖν γλώσσαις, μᾶλλον δὲ ἵνα προφητεύητε; μείζων δὲ ὁ προφητεύων, ἢ ὁ λαλῶν γλώσσαις, ἐκτὸς εἰ μὴ διερμηνεύῃ, ἵνα ἡ ἐκκλησία οἰκοδομὴν λάβῃ.
(thelō de pantas humas lalein glōssais, mallon de hina profaʸteuaʸte; meizōn de ho profaʸteuōn, aʸ ho lalōn glōssais, ektos ei maʸ diermaʸneuaʸ, hina haʸ ekklaʸsia oikodomaʸn labaʸ.)

SBL-GNT θέλω δὲ πάντας ὑμᾶς λαλεῖν γλώσσαις, μᾶλλον δὲ ἵνα προφητεύητε· μείζων ⸀δὲ ὁ προφητεύων ἢ ὁ λαλῶν γλώσσαις, ἐκτὸς εἰ μὴ ⸀διερμηνεύῃ, ἵνα ἡ ἐκκλησία οἰκοδομὴν λάβῃ.
(thelō de pantas humas lalein glōssais, mallon de hina profaʸteuaʸte; meizōn ⸀de ho profaʸteuōn aʸ ho lalōn glōssais, ektos ei maʸ ⸀diermaʸneuaʸ, hina haʸ ekklaʸsia oikodomaʸn labaʸ.)

RP-GNT Θέλω δὲ πάντας ὑμᾶς λαλεῖν γλώσσαις, μᾶλλον δὲ ἵνα προφητεύητε· μείζων γὰρ ὁ προφητεύων ἢ ὁ λαλῶν γλώσσαις, ἐκτὸς εἰ μὴ διερμηνεύει, ἵνα ἡ ἐκκλησία οἰκοδομὴν λάβῃ.
(Thelō de pantas humas lalein glōssais, mallon de hina profaʸteuaʸte; meizōn gar ho profaʸteuōn aʸ ho lalōn glōssais, ektos ei maʸ diermaʸneuei, hina haʸ ekklaʸsia oikodomaʸn labaʸ.)

TC-GNT Θέλω δὲ πάντας ὑμᾶς λαλεῖν γλώσσαις, μᾶλλον δὲ ἵνα προφητεύητε· μείζων [fn]γὰρ ὁ προφητεύων ἢ ὁ λαλῶν γλώσσαις, ἐκτὸς εἰ μὴ [fn]διερμηνεύει, ἵνα ἡ ἐκκλησία οἰκοδομὴν λάβῃ.
(Thelō de pantas humas lalein glōssais, mallon de hina profaʸteuaʸte; meizōn gar ho profaʸteuōn aʸ ho lalōn glōssais, ektos ei maʸ diermaʸneuei, hina haʸ ekklaʸsia oikodomaʸn labaʸ. )

14:5 γαρ ¦ δε CT

14:5 διερμηνευει ¦ διερμηνευη CT TR

Key for above GNTs: yellow:punctuation differs, red:words differ (from our SR-GNT base).

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 14:1–40 Believers should worship God in an orderly way

In this section Paul instructed the Corinthian believers about how they should worship God together. First, he compared prophecy and tongues. He stressed the value of prophecy for building up the church. Then he said they should conduct their worship services in an orderly and harmonious way. They were not to speak all at once. People who spoke in tongues should have someone to interpret, and women were to remain silent in the assembly.

Here are some other possible section headings:

Good order in worship

The spiritual gifts of prophecy and tongues

Use spiritual gifts to help the church grow

Paragraph 14:1–5

In this paragraph Paul resumed his discussion about spiritual gifts that he began in 12:31. He compared the gift of speaking in tongues and the gift of prophecy. He said that the gift of prophecy is more useful to the church.

14:5a

I wish that all of you could speak in tongues,

I wish you^(plur) could all speak in an unknown tongue,
My desire is for you all to speak in unknown/miraculous languages.

Verse 5 begins with a Greek conjunction that introduces a new thought. The BSB does not translate this conjunction. The RSV translates it as “Now.” Introduce this new thought in a way that is natural in your language.

I wish that all of you could speak in tongues: Paul wanted each of the Corinthian believers to speak in tongues. At the time he wrote, this was not the case.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

I desire that you^(plur) all speak in tongues

I want all of you to have the spiritual gift of speaking in tongues

14:5b

but I would rather have you prophesy.

but I wish even more that you could prophesy.
However, my desire is greater for you to declare God’s word.

but I would rather have you prophesy: The Greek conjunction that the BSB translates as but indicates a contrast with 14:5a. Paul made a comparison, saying that although he wanted the Corinthians to have the gift of tongues, he wanted even more for them to have the gift of prophecy.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

but even more I wish that you^(plur) could prophesy

but more than that I want you to have the spiritual gift of prophecy

14:5c

He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues,

The one who prophesies is more important than the one who speaks in an unknown tongue.
People who declare God’s word are doing something more valuable than are people who speak in unknown/miraculous languages.

He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues: The person who prophesies is greater in the sense that what he does is more valuable or more useful.

Here are some other ways to translate the word greater:

is more important

does something more valuable/useful/helpful

does a better thing

He: The word He refers to any person, either man or woman. In some languages it may be better to translate this as a plural. For example:

Those who prophesy are greater than those who speak in tongues

14:5d

unless he interprets so that the church may be edified.

This is true unless he translates his message, so that people in the church are also strengthened.
But if they explain what they mean so that the believers are built up in their faith, then that is valuable also.

unless he interprets: Paul said that if the people who speak in tongues explain what they mean, then their speech is just as valuable to the church as the prophesying.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

but if he interprets then this is also valuable/useful/helpful

he interprets: There are two ways to understand the subject of the Greek verb that the BSB translates as he interprets:

The one who interprets is the same as the person who spoke in tongues. For example:
unless they can interpret what they say (NJB) (BSB, NJB, NIV, NASB, REB, GW, NET, KJV)
The one who interprets is a different person. For example:
unless some one interprets (RSV) (RSV, GNT, NLT, CEV, ESV, NCV)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). This is the natural way to understand the Greek text.

interprets: The Greek word that the BSB translates as interprets refers to explaining the meaning of what is said in tongues.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

explains the meaning

puts into words

says it again in words that people understand

so that the church may be edified: If the speaker explains in normal language what he has just said in tongues, then the whole church can benefit from the message. The implied reason is that everyone will be able to understand him. In some languages it may be natural to make this implied reason explicit:

so that the church may understand and be edified

the church may be edified: This is a passive clause. There are two ways to translate it:

Use a passive verb. For example:
the church may be strengthened (NET)
Use an active verb. For example:
so that the church may receive help
so that what he says may strengthen the whole church

UTN uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / ellipsis

μᾶλλον δὲ ἵνα

rather (Some words not found in SR-GNT: θέλω Δέ πάντας ὑμᾶς λαλεῖν γλώσσαις μᾶλλον δέ ἵνα προφητεύητε μείζων δέ ὁ προφητεύων ἤ ὁ λαλῶν γλώσσαις ἐκτός εἰ μή διερμηνεύῃ ἵνα ἡ ἐκκλησία οἰκοδομήν λάβῃ)

Here Paul omits some words that your language may require to make a complete thought. Paul omits these words because he stated them explicitly in the previous clause (I desire). If your language does need these words, you could supply them from that clause. Alternate translation: [but I desire even more that] or [but even more, I desire that]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / genericnoun

ὁ προφητεύων & ὁ λαλῶν γλώσσαις

the_‹one› prophesying & the_‹one› speaking ˱in˲_tongues

Here, just as in [14:4](../14/04.md), Paul is speaking of people “prophesying” and people “speaking in tongues” in general, not of two particular people. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this form with a form that refers to people in general. Alternate translation: [anyone who prophesies … anyone who speaks in tongues]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

μείζων

greater_‹is›

Here, greater indicates that the one prophesying does something that is more important and helpful than the one speaking in tongues. It does not mean that God cares about the person prophesying more than the person speaking in tongues. If you readers would misunderstand greater, you could state explicitly how or in what way the person is greater. Alternate translation: [does something more useful] or [does what is more valuable]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / infostructure

ἐκτὸς εἰ μὴ διερμηνεύῃ, ἵνα ἡ ἐκκλησία οἰκοδομὴν λάβῃ

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: θέλω Δέ πάντας ὑμᾶς λαλεῖν γλώσσαις μᾶλλον δέ ἵνα προφητεύητε μείζων δέ ὁ προφητεύων ἤ ὁ λαλῶν γλώσσαις ἐκτός εἰ μή διερμηνεύῃ ἵνα ἡ ἐκκλησία οἰκοδομήν λάβῃ)

The ULT puts these clauses in parentheses because they give a qualification of what Paul has said about how the one prophesying is greater than the one speaking in tongues. In this clause, Paul clarifies that he is only speaking about tongues without interpretation. Further, if someone does interpret the tongues, then that can lead to building up, just like prophecy. Use a form in your language that would indicate a qualification or a parenthesis. If you use the following alternate translation, you may need to add a period before it. Alternate translation: [That is true except for when he interprets, so that the church receives building up]

Note 5 topic: grammar-connect-exceptions

ἐκτὸς εἰ μὴ διερμηνεύῃ, ἵνα ἡ ἐκκλησία οἰκοδομὴν λάβῃ

If it would appear in your language that Paul was making a statement here and then contradicting it, you could reword this to avoid using an exception clause. If you use this alternate translation, you may need to remove the parentheses. Alternate translation: [and does not interpret, because it is only when he interprets that the church receives building up]

Note 6 topic: writing-pronouns

διερμηνεύῃ

˱he˲_˓may_be˒_interpreting

Here, he could refer back specifically to the one speaking in tongues, but it does not have to do so. The word he could refer to anyone who can interpret, not just the person who is speaking in tongues. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the idea behind that he refers to anyone more clearly. Alternate translation: [he or somebody else would interpret]

Note 7 topic: figures-of-speech / gendernotations

διερμηνεύῃ

˱he˲_˓may_be˒_interpreting

Although he is masculine, Paul is using it to refer to anyone, whether man or woman. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express he with a non gendered word or refer to both genders. Alternate translation: [he or she would interpret]

Note 8 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

οἰκοδομὴν

Paul here speaks as if believers were a building that one “builds up.” With this metaphor, he emphasizes that the one speaking in tongues and also “interprets” helps other believers become stronger and more mature, just like the one who builds a house makes it strong and complete. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this figure of speech with a comparable metaphor or express the idea plainly. See how you translated this metaphor in [14:3](../14/03.md). Alternate translation: [growth] or [edification]