English Bible Presentation Sharing - 1-Corinthians Book, chapter 14, verse 26 in Erven Version

1 Corinthians 14 : 1 (ERVEN)

Love should be the goal of your life, but you should also want to have the gifts that come from the Spirit. And the gift you should want most is to be able to prophesy.

1 Corinthians 14 : 2 (ERVEN)

I will explain why. Those who have the gift of speaking in a different language are not speaking to people. They are speaking to God. No one understands them�they are speaking secret things through the Spirit.

1 Corinthians 14 : 3 (ERVEN)

But those who prophesy are speaking to people. They help people grow stronger in faith, and they give encouragement and comfort.

1 Corinthians 14 : 4 (ERVEN)

Those who speak in a different language are helping only themselves. But those who prophesy are helping the whole church.

1 Corinthians 14 : 5 (ERVEN)

I would like all of you to have the gift of speaking in different languages. But what I want more is for you to prophesy. Anyone who prophesies is more important than those who can only speak in different languages. However, if they can also interpret those languages, they are as important as the one who prophesies. If they can interpret, then the church can be helped by what they say.

1 Corinthians 14 : 6 (ERVEN)

Brothers and sisters, will it help you if I come to you speaking in different languages? No, it will help you only if I bring you a new truth or some knowledge, prophecy, or teaching.

1 Corinthians 14 : 7 (ERVEN)

This is true even with lifeless things that make sounds�like a flute or a harp. If the different musical notes are not made clear, you can't understand what song is being played. Each note must be played clearly for you to be able to understand the tune.

1 Corinthians 14 : 8 (ERVEN)

And in a war, if the trumpet does not sound clearly, the soldiers will not know it is time to prepare for fighting.

1 Corinthians 14 : 9 (ERVEN)

It is the same with you. If you don't speak clearly in a language people know, they cannot understand what you are saying. You will be talking to the air!

1 Corinthians 14 : 10 (ERVEN)

It is true that there are many different languages in the world, and they all have meaning.

1 Corinthians 14 : 11 (ERVEN)

But if I don't understand the meaning of what someone is saying, it will just be strange sounds to me, and I will sound just as strange to them.

1 Corinthians 14 : 12 (ERVEN)

That's why you who want spiritual gifts so much should prefer those gifts that help the church grow stronger.

1 Corinthians 14 : 13 (ERVEN)

So those who have the gift of speaking in a different language should pray that they can also interpret what they say.

1 Corinthians 14 : 14 (ERVEN)

If I pray in a different language, my spirit is praying, but my mind does nothing.

1 Corinthians 14 : 15 (ERVEN)

So what should 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.

1 Corinthians 14 : 16 (ERVEN)

You might be praising God with your spirit. But someone there without understanding cannot say "Amen " to your prayer of thanks, because they don't know what you are saying.

1 Corinthians 14 : 17 (ERVEN)

You may be thanking God in a good way, but others are not helped.

1 Corinthians 14 : 18 (ERVEN)

I thank God that my gift of speaking in different kinds of languages is greater than any of yours.

1 Corinthians 14 : 19 (ERVEN)

But in the church meetings I would rather speak five words that I understand than thousands of words in a different language. I would rather speak with my understanding, so that I can teach others.

1 Corinthians 14 : 20 (ERVEN)

Brothers and sisters, don't think like children. In evil things be like babies, but in your thinking you should be like fullgrown adults.

1 Corinthians 14 : 21 (ERVEN)

As the Scriptures say, "Using those who speak a different language and using the lips of foreigners, I will speak to these people. But even then, they will not obey me." This is what the Lord says.

1 Corinthians 14 : 22 (ERVEN)

And from this we see that the use of different languages shows how God deals with those who don't believe, not with those who believe. And prophecy shows how God works through those who believe, not through unbelievers.

1 Corinthians 14 : 23 (ERVEN)

Suppose the whole church meets together and you all speak in different languages. If some people come in who are without understanding or don't believe, they will say you are crazy.

1 Corinthians 14 : 24 (ERVEN)

But suppose you are all prophesying and someone comes in who does not believe or who is without understanding. Their sin will be shown to them, and they will be judged by everything you say.

1 Corinthians 14 : 25 (ERVEN)

The secret things in their heart will be made known. So they will bow down and worship God. They will say, "Without a doubt, God is here with you."

1 Corinthians 14 : 26 (ERVEN)

So, brothers and sisters, what should you do? When you meet together, one person has a song, another has a teaching, and another has a new truth from God. One person speaks in a different language, and another interprets that language. The purpose of whatever you do should be to help everyone grow stronger in faith.

1 Corinthians 14 : 27 (ERVEN)

When you meet together, if anyone speaks to the group in a different language, it should be only two or no more than three people who do this. And they should speak one after the other. And someone else should interpret what they say.

1 Corinthians 14 : 28 (ERVEN)

But if there is no interpreter, then anyone who speaks in a different language should be quiet in the church meeting. They should speak only to themselves and to God.

1 Corinthians 14 : 29 (ERVEN)

And only two or three prophets should speak. The others should judge what they say.

1 Corinthians 14 : 30 (ERVEN)

And if a message from God comes to someone who is sitting, the first speaker should be quiet.

1 Corinthians 14 : 31 (ERVEN)

You can all prophesy one after the other. This way everyone can be taught and encouraged.

1 Corinthians 14 : 32 (ERVEN)

The spirits of prophets are under the control of the prophets themselves.

1 Corinthians 14 : 33 (ERVEN)

God is not a God of confusion but a God of peace. This is the rule for all the meetings of God's people.

1 Corinthians 14 : 34 (ERVEN)

The women should keep quiet in these church meetings. They are not allowed to speak out but should be under authority, as the Law of Moses says.

1 Corinthians 14 : 35 (ERVEN)

If there is something they want to know, they should ask their own husbands at home. It is shameful for a woman to speak up like that in the church meeting.

1 Corinthians 14 : 36 (ERVEN)

God's teaching did not come from you, and you are not the only ones who have received it.

1 Corinthians 14 : 37 (ERVEN)

If you think you are a prophet or that you have a spiritual gift, you should understand that what I am writing to you is the Lord's command.

1 Corinthians 14 : 38 (ERVEN)

If you do not accept this, you will not be accepted.

1 Corinthians 14 : 39 (ERVEN)

So my brothers and sisters, continue to give your attention to prophesying. And don't stop anyone from using the gift of speaking in different languages.

1 Corinthians 14 : 40 (ERVEN)

But everything should be done in a way that is right and orderly.