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1 Corinthians · Berean Standard Bible

1 Corinthians 14 Berean Standard Bible

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  • Protestant
  • OT: Masoretic Hebrew
  • NT: Critical text
  • Protestant (66 books)
  • Formal (word for word)
  • 2022
  • Public domain

Audio: World English Bible (WEB), read by Winfred W. Henson · About the recordings

BSB Berean Standard Bible
RV1909 Reina-Valera 1909
WEB World English Bible (Classic, with Deuterocanon)
1 Earnestly pursue love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy.
1 SEGUID la caridad; y procurad los [dones] espirituales, mas sobre todo que profeticéis.
1 Follow after love and earnestly desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.
2 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.
2 Porque el que habla en lenguas, no habla á los hombres, sino á Dios; porque nadie le entiende, aunque en espíritu hable misterios.
2 For he who speaks in another language speaks not to men, but to God, for no one understands, but in the Spirit he speaks mysteries.
3 But he who prophesies speaks to men for their edification, encouragement, and comfort.
3 Mas el que profetiza, habla á los hombres [para] edificación, y exhortación, y consolación.
3 But he who prophesies speaks to men for their edification, exhortation, and consolation.
4 The one who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but the one who prophesies edifies the church.
4 El que habla lengua extraña, á sí mismo se edifica; mas el que profetiza, edifica á la iglesia.
4 He who speaks in another language edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the assembly.
5 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.
5 Así que, quisiera que todos vosotros hablaseis lenguas, empero más que profetizaseis: porque mayor es el que profetiza que el que habla lenguas, si también no interpretare, para que la iglesia tome edificación.
5 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.
6 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?
6 Ahora pues, hermanos, si yo fuere á vosotros hablando lenguas, ¿qué os aprovecharé, si no os hablare, ó con revelación, ó con ciencia, ó con profecía, ó con doctrina?
6 But now, brothers, if I come to you speaking with other languages, what would I profit you unless I speak to you either by way of revelation, or of knowledge, or of prophesying, or of teaching?
7 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?
7 Ciertamente las cosas inanimadas que hacen sonidos, como la flauta ó la vihuela, si no dieren distinción de voces, ¿cómo se sabrá lo que se tañe con la flauta, ó con la vihuela?
7 Even lifeless things that make a sound, whether pipe or harp, if they didn’t give a distinction in the sounds, how would it be known what is piped or harped?
8 Again, if the trumpet sounds a muffled call, who will prepare for battle?
8 Y si la trompeta diere sonido incierto, ¿quién se apercibirá á la batalla?
8 For if the trumpet gave an uncertain sound, who would prepare himself for war?
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.
9 Así también vosotros, si por la lengua no diereis palabra bien significante, ¿cómo se entenderá lo que se dice? porque hablaréis al aire.
9 So also you, unless you uttered by the tongue words easy to understand, how would it be known what is spoken? For you would be speaking into the air.
10 Assuredly, there are many different languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning.
10 Tantos géneros de voces, por ejemplo, hay en el mundo, y nada hay mudo;
10 There are, it may be, so many kinds of languages in the world, and none of them is without meaning.
11 If, then, I do not know the meaning of someone’s language, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and he is a foreigner to me.
11 Mas si yo ignorare el valor de la voz, seré bárbaro al que habla, y el que habla será bárbaro para mí.
11 If then I don’t know the meaning of the language, I would be to him who speaks a foreigner, and he who speaks would be a foreigner to me.
12 It is the same with you. Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, strive to excel in gifts that build up the church.
12 Así también vosotros; pues que anheláis espirituales [dones], procurad ser excelentes para la edificación de la iglesia.
12 So also you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, seek that you may abound to the building up of the assembly.
13 Therefore, the one who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret.
13 Por lo cual, el que habla lengua [extraña], pida que [la] interprete.
13 Therefore let him who speaks in another language pray that he may interpret.
14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.
14 Porque si yo orare en lengua [desconocida], mi espíritu ora; mas mi entendimiento es sin fruto.
14 For if I pray in another language, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.
15 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.
15 ¿Qué pues? Oraré con el espíritu, mas oraré también con entendimiento; cantaré con el espíritu, mas cantaré también con entendimiento.
15 What should I do? 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.
16 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?
16 Porque si bendijeres con el espíritu, el que ocupa lugar de un mero particular, ¿cómo dirá amén á tu acción de gracias? pues no sabe lo que has dicho.
16 Otherwise, if you bless with the spirit, how will he who fills the place of the unlearned say the “Amen” at your giving of thanks, seeing he doesn’t know what you say?
17 You may be giving thanks well enough, but the other one is not edified.
17 Porque tú, á la verdad, bien haces gracias; mas el otro no es edificado.
17 For you most certainly give thanks well, but the other person is not built up.
18 I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you.
18 Doy gracias á Dios que hablo lenguas más que todos vosotros:
18 I thank my God, I speak with other languages more than you all.
19 But in the church, I would rather speak five coherent words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.
19 Pero en la iglesia más quiero hablar cinco palabras con mi sentido, para que enseñe también á los otros, que diez mil palabras en lengua [desconocida].
19 However, in the assembly I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I might instruct others also, than ten thousand words in another language.
20 Brothers, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be mature.
20 Hermanos, no seáis niños en el sentido, sino sed niños en la malicia: empero perfectos en el sentido.
20 Brothers, don’t be children in thoughts, yet in malice be babies, but in thoughts be mature.
21 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.”
21 En la ley está escrito: En otras lenguas y en otros labios hablaré á este pueblo; y ni aun así me oirán, dice el Señor.
21 In the law it is written, “By men of strange languages and by the lips of strangers I will speak to this people. They won’t even listen to me that way, says the Lord.”
22 Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers, but for unbelievers. Prophecy, however, is for believers, not for unbelievers.
22 Así que, las lenguas por señal son, no á los fieles, sino á los infieles: mas la profecía, no á los infieles, sino á los fieles.
22 Therefore other languages are for a sign, not to those who believe, but to the unbelieving; but prophesying is for a sign, not to the unbelieving, but to those who believe.
23 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?
23 De manera que, si toda la iglesia se juntare en uno, y todos hablan lenguas, y entran indoctos ó infieles, ¿no dirán que estáis locos?
23 If therefore the whole assembly is assembled together and all speak with other languages, and unlearned or unbelieving people come in, won’t they say that you are crazy?
24 But if an unbeliever or uninstructed person comes in while everyone is prophesying, he will be convicted and called to account by all,
24 Mas si todos profetizan, y entra algún infiel ó indocto, de todos es convencido, de todos es juzgado;
24 But if all prophesy, and someone unbelieving or unlearned comes in, he is reproved by all, and he is judged by all.
25 and the secrets of his heart will be made known. So he will fall facedown and worship God, proclaiming, “God is truly among you!”
25 Lo oculto de su corazón se hace manifiesto: y así, postrándose sobre el rostro, adorará á Dios, declarando que verdaderamente Dios está en vosotros.
25 And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed. So he will fall down on his face and worship God, declaring that God is among you indeed.
26 What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a psalm or a teaching, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. All of these must be done to build up the church.
26 ¿Qué hay pues, hermanos? Cuando os juntáis, cada uno de vosotros tiene salmo, tiene doctrina, tiene lengua, tiene revelación, tiene interpretación: hágase todo para edificación.
26 What is it then, brothers? When you come together, each one of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has another language, or has an interpretation. Let all things be done to build each other up.
27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, two, or at most three, should speak in turn, and someone must interpret.
27 Si hablare alguno en lengua [extraña], [sea esto] por dos, ó á lo más tres, y por turno; mas uno interprete.
27 If any man speaks in another language, let there be two, or at the most three, and in turn; and let one interpret.
28 But if there is no interpreter, he should remain silent in the church and speak only to himself and God.
28 Y si no hubiere intérprete, calle en la iglesia, y hable á sí mismo y á Dios.
28 But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in the assembly, and let him speak to himself and to God.
29 Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said.
29 Asimismo, los profetas hablen dos ó tres, y los demás juzguen.
29 Let two or three of the prophets speak, and let the others discern.
30 And if a revelation comes to someone who is seated, the first speaker should stop.
30 Y si á otro que estuviere sentado, fuere revelado, calle el primero.
30 But if a revelation is made to another sitting by, let the first keep silent.
31 For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged.
31 Porque podéis todos profetizar uno por uno, para que todos aprendan, y todos sean exhortados.
31 For you all can prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be exhorted.
32 The spirits of prophets are subject to prophets.
32 Y los espíritus de los que profetizaren, sujétense á los profetas;
32 The spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets,
33 For God is not a God of disorder, but of peace—as in all the churches of the saints.
33 Porque Dios no es Dios de disensión, sino de paz; como en todas las iglesias de los santos.
33 for God is not a God of confusion but of peace, as in all the assemblies of the saints.
34 Women are to be silent in the churches. They are not permitted to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says.
34 Vuestras mujeres callen en las congregaciones; porque no les es permitido hablar, sino que estén sujetas, como también la ley dice.
34 Let the wives be quiet in the assemblies, for it has not been permitted for them to be talking except in submission, as the law also says,
35 If they wish to inquire about something, they are to ask their own husbands at home; for it is dishonorable for a woman to speak in the church.
35 Y si quieren aprender alguna cosa, pregunten en casa á sus maridos; porque deshonesta cosa es hablar una mujer en la congregación.
35 if they desire to learn anything. “Let them ask their own husbands at home, for it is shameful for a wife to be talking in the assembly.”
36 Did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only ones it has reached?
36 Qué, ¿ha salido de vosotros la palabra de Dios? ¿ó á vosotros solos ha llegado?
36 What!? Was it from you that the word of God went out? Or did it come to you alone?
37 If anyone considers himself a prophet or spiritual person, let him acknowledge that what I am writing you is the Lord’s command.
37 Si alguno á su parecer, es profeta, ó espiritual, reconozca lo que os escribo, porque son mandamientos del Señor.
37 If any man thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him recognize the things which I write to you, that they are the commandment of the Lord.
38 But if anyone ignores this, he himself will be ignored.
38 Mas el que ignora, ignore.
38 But if anyone is ignorant, let him be ignorant.
39 So, my brothers, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.
39 Así que, hermanos, procurad profetizar; y no impidáis el hablar lenguas.
39 Therefore, brothers, desire earnestly to prophesy, and don’t forbid speaking with other languages.
40 But everything must be done in a proper and orderly manner.
40 Empero hágase todo decentemente y con orden.
40 Let all things be done decently and in order.
Cross references (38)

Related passages for each verse, from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge as collected and ranked by readers at OpenBible.info.

  1. 1 1 Timothy 4:14; 1 Corinthians 14:39; 1 Corinthians 16:14; 1 Thessalonians 5:20; 1 Corinthians 12:1
  2. 2 Mark 16:17; Acts 19:6; Acts 10:46; Acts 2:4–11; 1 Corinthians 13:2
  3. 3 1 Timothy 4:13; 1 Corinthians 14:12; Jude 20; 2 Timothy 4:2; Ephesians 6:22
  4. 4 1 Corinthians 14:22; 1 Corinthians 14:26; Mark 16:17; 1 Corinthians 14:17–19; 1 Corinthians 14:3
  5. 5 1 Corinthians 12:10; 1 Corinthians 12:28–30; 1 Corinthians 13:1; Numbers 11:28–29; Mark 16:17
  6. 6 Ephesians 1:17; 2 Timothy 3:16; Romans 6:17; 1 Corinthians 14:1; 2 John 9
  7. 7 1 Corinthians 13:1; 1 Corinthians 14:8; Numbers 10:2–10; Matthew 11:17; Luke 7:32
  8. 8 Numbers 10:9; Ezekiel 33:3–6; Jeremiah 4:19; Joel 2:1; Amos 3:6
  9. 9 1 Corinthians 9:26
  10. 11 Acts 28:2; Romans 1:14; Acts 28:4; 1 Corinthians 14:21; Colossians 3:11
  11. 12 1 Corinthians 14:26; 1 Corinthians 12:31; 1 Corinthians 14:3–4; 1 Corinthians 14:1; 1 Corinthians 12:7
  12. 13 Mark 11:24; John 14:13–14; 1 Corinthians 12:30; Acts 1:14; 1 Corinthians 14:27–28
  13. 14 1 Corinthians 14:2; 1 Corinthians 14:15–16; 1 Corinthians 14:19
  14. 15 Colossians 3:16; Ephesians 6:18; John 4:23–24; Ephesians 5:17–20; Jude 20
  15. 16 1 Chronicles 16:36; Psalm 106:48; Revelation 5:14; Deuteronomy 27:15–26; Nehemiah 8:6
  16. 17 1 Corinthians 14:4; 1 Corinthians 14:6
  17. 18 1 Corinthians 1:4–6; 1 Corinthians 4:7
  18. 19 1 Corinthians 14:21–22; 1 Corinthians 14:4
  19. 20 1 Peter 2:2; 1 Corinthians 13:11; Romans 16:19; Matthew 18:3; 2 Peter 3:18
  20. 21 Isaiah 28:11–12; Jeremiah 5:15; Deuteronomy 28:49
  21. 22 Acts 2:6–12; Mark 16:17; 1 Timothy 1:9; 1 Corinthians 14:1; Acts 2:32–36
  22. 23 Acts 2:13; 1 Corinthians 11:18; John 10:20; Acts 26:24; Hosea 9:7
  23. 24 Hebrews 4:12–13; Acts 2:37; 1 Corinthians 2:15; John 4:29; John 1:47–49
  24. 25 Isaiah 45:14; Zechariah 8:23; Psalm 72:11; Luke 17:16; Revelation 5:8
  25. 26 Ephesians 5:19; Romans 14:19; 1 Corinthians 12:7–10; 1 Thessalonians 5:11; Ephesians 4:16
  26. 27 1 Corinthians 14:26
  27. 29 1 Corinthians 12:10; 1 Thessalonians 5:19–21; 1 John 4:1–3; 1 Corinthians 14:39
  28. 30 1 Thessalonians 5:19–20; Job 33:31–33; Job 32:11; 1 Corinthians 14:26; Job 32:15–20
  29. 31 1 Corinthians 14:3; 1 Thessalonians 5:14; 1 Thessalonians 5:11; Proverbs 1:5; 1 Corinthians 14:35
  30. 32 1 John 4:1; Acts 4:19–20; 1 Corinthians 14:29–30; 2 Kings 2:5; 1 Samuel 10:10–13
  31. 33 James 3:17–18; 1 Corinthians 14:40; 2 Thessalonians 3:16; Galatians 5:22; 1 Corinthians 11:16
  32. 34 1 Timothy 2:11–12; Genesis 3:16; Numbers 30:3–13; Colossians 3:18; 1 Corinthians 14:35
  33. 35 1 Peter 3:7; Ephesians 5:12; Ephesians 5:25–27; 1 Corinthians 11:14; 1 Corinthians 11:6
  34. 36 Zechariah 14:8; Acts 18:1–17; 1 Thessalonians 1:8; Isaiah 2:3; Acts 17:1
  35. 37 1 John 4:6; 2 Corinthians 10:7; 2 Peter 3:2; Jude 17; 1 Thessalonians 4:1–8
  36. 38 2 Timothy 4:3–4; 1 Timothy 6:3–5; Matthew 7:6; Revelation 22:11–12; Hosea 4:17
  37. 39 1 Corinthians 12:31; 1 Corinthians 14:1; 1 Thessalonians 5:20; 1 Corinthians 14:24–25; 1 Corinthians 14:5
  38. 40 Colossians 2:5; Titus 1:5; 1 Corinthians 14:26–33; 1 Corinthians 11:34; Romans 13:13

Cross references: OpenBible.info (CC BY), drawn mainly from the public-domain Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. · Sources & licences

What the Fathers said

Passages from the Church Fathers that expound or quote this chapter, verbatim from the public-domain Schaff edition (19th-century English translations).

How these were chosen

“Commentary” is the opening of a homily or exposition on this chapter (John Chrysostom’s homilies, Augustine’s tractates, sermons and expositions of the Psalms). “Quotes” are sentences where the edition’s own footnotes identify a quotation of a verse here, kept only when the wording matches the verse. Only works whose authorship is not in doubt are used. Psalms follow the Hebrew/English numbering (Augustine numbers them as the Septuagint does: his Psalm 50 is Psalm 51 here).

  1. Commentary 14:1 John Chrysostom, Homilies on First Corinthians (Homily XXXV)

    Thus, inasmuch as he had with exactness rehearsed unto them all the excellence of love, he exhorts them in what follows, with alacrity to lay hold of it.

    Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 12 (1889)

  2. Quotes verse 14:20 Irenaeus of Lyons, Against Heresies (Book IV, Chapters XXV–XXVI)

    Is it not those who love God, and who believe His promises, and who "in malice have become as little children?"

    Read in context · Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 1 (1885)

  3. Quotes verse 14:20 Augustine of Hippo, Confessions (Book XIII, Chapters XII–XV)

    … is from heaven;" and calleth upon this lower deep, saying, "Be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind." And, "Be not children in understanding, howbeit in malice be ye children," that in "understanding ye may be perfect;" and "O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you?" But now not in his own voice, …

    Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 1 (1886)

  4. Quotes verse 14:22 John Chrysostom, Homilies on the Gospel of Matthew (Homily XII)

    For signs are "not for them that believe, but for them that believe not." But why in the fashion of a dove?

    Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 10 (1888)

  5. Quotes verse 14:29 Cyril of Jerusalem, Catechetical Lectures (Lecture XIII)

    For the clouds which are the Prophets were removed from them, and are for the future in the Church; as Paul says, Let the Prophets speak two or three, and let the others judge; and again, God gave in the Church, some, Apostles, and some, Prophets.

    Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 2, vol. 7 (1894)