Capítulo 14

1 - Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy.

2 - For anyone who speaks in a tongue Or [in another language]; also in verses 4, 13, 14, 19, 26 and 27 does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit.

3 - But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort.

4 - Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves, but the one who prophesies edifies the church.

5 - I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, Or [in other languages]; also in verses 6, 18, 22, 23 and 39 but I would rather have you prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, Or [in other languages]; also in verses 6, 18, 22, 23 and 39 unless someone interprets, so that the church may be edified.

6 - Now, 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 or knowledge or prophecy or word of instruction?

7 - Even in the case of lifeless things that make sounds, such as the pipe or harp, how will anyone know what tune is being played unless there is a distinction in the notes?

8 - Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle?

9 - 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.

10 - Undoubtedly there are all sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning.

11 - If then I do not grasp the meaning of what someone is saying, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and the speaker is a foreigner to me.

12 - So it is with you. Since you are eager for gifts of the Spirit, try to excel in those that build up the church.

13 - For this reason the one who speaks in a tongue should pray that they may interpret what they say.

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

15 - So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my understanding; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my understanding.

16 - Otherwise when you are praising God in the Spirit, how can someone else, who is now put in the position of an inquirer, The Greek word for [inquirer] is a technical term for someone not fully initiated into a religion; also in verses 23 and 24. say "Amen" to your thanksgiving, since they do not know what you are saying?

17 - You are giving thanks well enough, but no one else is edified.

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

19 - But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.

20 - Brothers and sisters, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults.

21 - In the Law it is written: "With other tongues and through the lips of foreigners I will speak to this people, but even then they will not listen to me, says the Lord."

22 - Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy, however, is not for unbelievers but for believers.

23 - So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and inquirers or unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind?

24 - But if an unbeliever or an inquirer comes in while everyone is prophesying, they are convicted of sin and are brought under judgment by all,

25 - as the secrets of their hearts are laid bare. So they will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, "God is really among you!"

26 - What then shall we say, brothers and sisters? When you come together, each of you has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. Everything must be done so that the church may be built up.

27 - If anyone speaks in a tongue, two - or at the most three - should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret.

28 - If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and to God.

29 - Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said.

30 - And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop.

31 - For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged.

32 - The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets.

33 - For God is not a God of disorder but of peace - as in all the congregations of the Lord's people.

34 - Women Or [peace. As in all the congregations of the Lord's people, [34] women] should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says.

35 - If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church. In a few manuscripts these verses come after verse 40.

36 - Or did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only people it has reached?

37 - If anyone thinks they are a prophet or otherwise gifted by the Spirit, let them acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord's command.

38 - But if anyone ignores this, they will themselves be ignored. Some manuscripts [But anyone who is ignorant of this will be ignorant]

39 - Therefore, my brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.

40 - But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.