1 Corinthians 14:5

KJV1611 – Modern English

I wish that you all spoke with tongues, but rather that you prophesied; for greater is he who prophesies than he who speaks with tongues, unless he interprets, that the church may receive edification.

Additional Resources

Other Translations

  • Linguistic Bible Translation from Source Texts

    I wish that all of you spoke in tongues, but I would rather you prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless they interpret so that the church may be built up.

  • King James Version 1769 (Standard Version)

    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.

  • American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

    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 {G3361} he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.

  • King James Version with Strong's Numbers

    {G1161} 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.

  • Tyndale Bible (1526/1534)

    I wolde that ye all spake with tonges: but rather that ye prophesied. For greater is he that prophisieth? then he yt speaketh with tonges except he expounde it also that the congregacion maye have edifyinge.

  • Coverdale Bible (1535)

    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.

  • Geneva Bible (1560)

    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 expounde it, that the Church may receiue edification.

  • Bishops' Bible (1568)

    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.

  • Authorized King James Version (1611)

    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.

  • Webster's Bible (1833)

    Now I desire to have you all speak with other languages, but rather 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.

  • Young's Literal Translation (1862/1898)

    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.

  • American Standard Version (1901)

    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.

  • American Standard Version (1901)

    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.

  • Bible in Basic English (1941)

    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.

  • World English Bible (2000)

    Now I desire to have you all speak with other languages, but rather 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.

  • NET Bible® (New English Translation)

    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.

Referenced Verses

  • 1 Cor 12:10 : 10 To another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.
  • Mark 16:17 : 17 And these signs shall follow those who believe: In my name they shall cast out demons; they shall speak with new tongues;
  • 1 Cor 13:1 : 1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not love, I am become as sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.
  • 1 Cor 13:4 : 4 Love is patient, and is kind; love does not envy; love does not boast, is not proud,
  • 1 Cor 14:1 : 1 Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.
  • 1 Cor 14:3-4 : 3 But he who prophesies speaks to men for edification, exhortation, and comfort. 4 He who speaks in an unknown tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.
  • 1 Cor 14:12-13 : 12 Even so you, since you are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that you may excel to the edification of the church. 13 Therefore, let him who speaks in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.
  • 1 Cor 14:18-40 : 18 I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than you all; 19 Yet in the church, I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue. 20 Brethren, do not be children in understanding; however, in malice be infants, but in understanding be mature. 21 In the law it is written: With men of other tongues and other lips I will speak to this people, and yet for all that they will not hear me, says the Lord. 22 Therefore, tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe, but to those who do not believe; but prophesying is not for unbelievers, but for those who believe. 23 Therefore, if the whole church comes together in one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those who are uninformed or unbelievers, will they not say that you are mad? 24 But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or uninformed person comes in, he is convinced by all, he is judged by all. 25 And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed; and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God and report that God is truly among you. 26 How is it then, brethren? When you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. 27 If anyone speaks in an unknown tongue, let it be by two or at the most by three, and each in turn, and let one interpret. 28 But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in the church, and let him speak to himself and to God. 29 Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the others judge. 30 If anything is revealed to another who sits by, let the first keep silent. 31 For you may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be encouraged. 32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. 33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints. 34 Let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the law also says. 35 And if they want to learn something, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is shameful for women to speak in church. 36 What? Did the word of God originate from you? Or was it only to you that it came? 37 If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things I write to you are the commandments of the Lord. 38 But if anyone is ignorant, let him be ignorant. 39 Therefore, brethren, desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking with tongues. 40 Let all things be done decently and in order.
  • Num 11:28-29 : 28 And Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of Moses, one of his young men, answered and said, My lord Moses, forbid them. 29 And Moses said to him, Are you envious for my sake? Would God that all the LORD's people were prophets, and that the LORD would put His Spirit upon them!
  • 1 Cor 12:28-30 : 28 And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?

Similar Verses (AI)

These verses are found using AI-powered semantic similarity based on meaning and context. Results may occasionally include unexpected connections.

  • 1 Cor 14:1-4
    4 verses
    85%

    1Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.

    2For he who speaks in an unknown tongue speaks not to men, but to God; for no man understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries.

    3But he who prophesies speaks to men for edification, exhortation, and comfort.

    4He who speaks in an unknown tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.

  • 1 Cor 14:9-32
    24 verses
    83%

    9So likewise you, unless you utter by the tongue words easy to understand, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will speak into the air.

    10There are, perhaps, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without significance.

    11Therefore, if I do not know the meaning of the voice, I shall be to him who speaks a foreigner, and he who speaks shall be a foreigner to me.

    12Even so you, since you are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that you may excel to the edification of the church.

    13Therefore, let him who speaks in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.

    14For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.

    15What 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.

    16Otherwise, if you bless with the spirit, how will he who occupies the place of the uninformed say Amen at your giving of thanks, seeing he does not understand what you say?

    17For you truly give thanks well, but the other is not edified.

    18I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than you all;

    19Yet in the church, I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.

    20Brethren, do not be children in understanding; however, in malice be infants, but in understanding be mature.

    21In the law it is written: With men of other tongues and other lips I will speak to this people, and yet for all that they will not hear me, says the Lord.

    22Therefore, tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe, but to those who do not believe; but prophesying is not for unbelievers, but for those who believe.

    23Therefore, if the whole church comes together in one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those who are uninformed or unbelievers, will they not say that you are mad?

    24But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or uninformed person comes in, he is convinced by all, he is judged by all.

    25And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed; and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God and report that God is truly among you.

    26How is it then, brethren? When you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.

    27If anyone speaks in an unknown tongue, let it be by two or at the most by three, and each in turn, and let one interpret.

    28But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in the church, and let him speak to himself and to God.

    29Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the others judge.

    30If anything is revealed to another who sits by, let the first keep silent.

    31For you may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be encouraged.

    32And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.

  • 1 Cor 14:6-7
    2 verses
    83%

    6Now, brethren, if I come to you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, unless I speak to you by revelation, knowledge, prophesying, or doctrine?

    7Even things without life, giving sound, whether pipe or harp, unless they give a distinction in the sounds, how will it be known what is piped or harped?

  • 1 Cor 14:38-40
    3 verses
    81%

    38But if anyone is ignorant, let him be ignorant.

    39Therefore, brethren, desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking with tongues.

    40Let all things be done decently and in order.

  • 1 Cor 12:10
    74%

    10To another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.

  • 1 Cor 12:28-31
    4 verses
    73%

    28And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues.

    29Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles?

    30Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?

    31But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way.

  • 1 Thess 5:20
    70%

    20Do not despise prophecies.

  • 1 Cor 13:1-2
    2 verses
    70%

    1Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not love, I am become as sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.

    2And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not love, I am nothing.

  • 1 Cor 12:1
    70%

    1Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant.

  • Rom 12:6
    68%

    6Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;

  • 1 Cor 13:8-9
    2 verses
    67%

    8Love never fails: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

    9For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.

  • Isa 28:11
    67%

    11For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people.

  • 1 Pet 4:11
    67%

    11If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God; if anyone serves, let him do so with the ability which God gives: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

  • 1 Cor 7:7
    67%

    7For I wish that all men were as I am. But each one has his own gift from God, one in this manner and another in that.

  • Rom 1:11
    67%

    11For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established;

  • Acts 19:6
    66%

    6And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them; and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.