Prophecy and Tongues

1CO 14:1

KJV

Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.

BSB

Earnestly pursue love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy.

Koinōnos

Pursue love, and earnestly desire things pertaining to the Spirit — moreover, that you may prophesy.

1CO 14:2

KJV

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.

BSB

For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men, but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries in the Spirit.

Koinōnos

For the one speaking in a tongue speaks not to men but to God — for no one hears, yet in the Spirit he speaks mysteries.

1CO 14:3

KJV

But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.

BSB

But he who prophesies speaks to men for their edification, encouragement, and comfort.

Koinōnos

But the one prophesying speaks to men — edification and encouragement and consolation.

1CO 14:4

KJV

He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.

BSB

The one who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but the one who prophesies edifies the church.

Koinōnos

The one speaking in a tongue builds up himself; but the one prophesying builds up the assembly.

1CO 14:5

KJV

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.

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.

Koinōnos

Now I desire all of you to speak in tongues, but moreover that you may prophesy; greater is the one prophesying than the one speaking in tongues, except unless he shall interpret, so that the assembly may receive edification.

1CO 14:6

KJV

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?

BSB

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?

Koinōnos

But now, brothers, if I come to you speaking in tongues, what will I profit you, unless I speak to you either in revelation or in knowledge or in prophecy or in teaching?

1CO 14:7

KJV

And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?

BSB

Even in the case of lifeless instruments, such as the flute or harp, how will anyone recognize the tune they are playing unless the notes are distinct?

Koinōnos

Even lifeless things giving a sound — whether flute or harp — if they do not give distinction to the sounds, how will what is being piped or what is being harped be known?

1CO 14:8

KJV

For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?

BSB

Again, if the trumpet sounds a muffled call, who will prepare for battle?

Koinōnos

For also if the trumpet gives an indistinct sound, who will prepare himself for battle?

1CO 14:9

KJV

So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air.

BSB

So it is with you. Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air.

Koinōnos

So also you yourselves — unless through the tongue you give intelligible speech, how will what is being spoken be known? For you will be speaking into the air.

1CO 14:10

KJV

There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification.

BSB

Assuredly, there are many different languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning.

Koinōnos

So many kinds of languages there are, if it should be, in the world, and none is voiceless.

1CO 14:11

KJV

Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me.

BSB

If, then, I do not know the meaning of someoneʼs language, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and he is a foreigner to me.

Koinōnos

If therefore I do not know the power of the sound, I will be a foreigner to the one speaking, and the one speaking will be a foreigner to me.

1CO 14:12

KJV

Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.

BSB

It is the same with you. Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, strive to excel in gifts that build up the church.

Koinōnos

So also you — since you are zealous for things pertaining to the Spirit — seek to abound toward the edification of the assembly.

1CO 14:13

KJV

Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.

BSB

Therefore, the one who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret.

Koinōnos

Therefore the one speaking in a tongue, let him pray that he may interpret.

1CO 14:14

KJV

For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.

BSB

For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.

Koinōnos

For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.

1CO 14:15

KJV

What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.

BSB

What then shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind. I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind.

Koinōnos

What then is it? I will pray with the spirit and I will also pray with the mind; I will sing praise with the spirit and I will also sing praise with the mind.

1CO 14:16

KJV

Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest?

BSB

Otherwise, if you speak a blessing in spirit, how can someone who is uninstructed say “Amen” to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying?

Koinōnos

Otherwise, if you give thanks in the spirit, how will the one filling the place of the private person say the 'Amen' to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying?

1CO 14:17

KJV

For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.

BSB

You may be giving thanks well enough, but the other one is not edified.

Koinōnos

For you indeed give thanks well, but the other is not built up.

1CO 14:18

KJV

I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:

BSB

I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you.

Koinōnos

I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you;

1CO 14:19

KJV

Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.

BSB

But in the church, I would rather speak five coherent words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.

Koinōnos

but in an assembly I desire to speak five words with my mind, so that I may also instruct others, rather than ten thousand words in a tongue.

1CO 14:20

KJV

Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.

BSB

Brothers, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be mature.

Koinōnos

Brothers, do not be children in your thinking — yet in wickedness be infants, and in your thinking be mature.

1CO 14:21

KJV

In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the LORD.

BSB

It is written in the Law: “By strange tongues and foreign lips I will speak to this people, but even then they will not listen to Me, says the Lord.”

Koinōnos

In the law it is written: 'By people of other tongues and by lips of strangers I will speak to this people, and even so they will not hear me, says the Lord.

1CO 14:22

KJV

Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.

BSB

Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers, but for unbelievers. Prophecy, however, is for believers, not for unbelievers.

Koinōnos

So then tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophecy is not for unbelievers but for those who believe.

1CO 14:23

KJV

If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?

BSB

So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and some who are uninstructed or some unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your minds?

Koinōnos

If therefore the whole assembly comes together in the same place and all speak in tongues, and private persons or unbelievers come in — will they not say you are out of your minds?

1CO 14:24

KJV

But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all:

BSB

But if an unbeliever or uninstructed person comes in while everyone is prophesying, he will be convicted and called to account by all,

Koinōnos

But if all prophesy and some unbeliever or private person comes in, he is convicted by all, he is examined by all,

1CO 14:25

KJV

And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.

BSB

and the secrets of his heart will be made known. So he will fall facedown and worship God, proclaiming, “God is truly among you!”

Koinōnos

the hidden things of his heart become manifest, and so falling on his face he will worship God, declaring that God is truly among you.