Epistula I ad Corinthios, 14

1. sectamini caritatem æmulamini spiritalia magis autem ut prophetetis

1. Follow after charity, be zealous for spiritual gifts; but rather that you may prophesy.

2. qui enim loquitur lingua non hominibus loquitur sed Deo nemo enim audit Spiritu autem loquitur mysteria

2. For he that speaketh in a tongue, speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man heareth. Yet by the Spirit he speaketh mysteries.

3. nam qui prophetat hominibus loquitur ædificationem et exhortationem et consolationes

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

4. qui loquitur lingua semet ipsum ædificat qui autem prophetat ecclesiam ædificat

4. He that speaketh in a tongue, edifieth himself: but he that prophesieth, edifieth the church.

5. volo autem omnes vos loqui linguis magis autem prophetare nam major est qui prophetat quam qui loquitur linguis nisi si forte ut interpretetur ut ecclesia ædificationem accipiat

5. And I would have you all to speak with tongues, but rather to prophesy. For greater is he that prophesieth, than he that speaketh with tongues: unless perhaps he interpret, that the church may receive edification.

6. nunc autem fratres si venero ad vos linguis loquens quid vobis prodero nisi si vobis loquar aut in revelatione aut scientia aut prophetia aut in doctrina

6. But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, unless I speak to you either in revelation, or in knowledge, or in prophecy, or in doctrine?

7. tamen quæ sine anima sunt vocem dantia sive tibia sive cithara nisi distinctionem sonituum dederint quomodo scietur quod canitur aut quod citharizatur

7. Even things without life that give sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction of sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped ?

8. etenim si incertam vocem det tuba quis parabit se ad bellum

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

9. ita et vos per linguam nisi manifestum sermonem dederitis quomodo scietur id quod dicitur eritis enim in æra loquentes

9. So likewise you, except you utter by the tongue plain speech, how shall it be known what is said ? For you shall be speaking into the air.

10. tam multa ut puta genera linguarum sunt in mundo et nihil sine voce est

10. There are, for example, so many kinds of tongues in this world; and none is without voice.

11. si ergo nesciero virtutem vocis ero ei cui loquor barbarus et qui loquitur mihi barbarus

11. If then I know not the power of the voice, I shall be to him to whom I speak a barbarian; and he that speaketh, a barbarian to me.

12. sic et vos quoniam æmulatores estis spirituum ad ædificationem ecclesiæ quærite ut abundetis

12. So you also, forasmuch as you are zealous of spirits, seek to abound unto the edifying of the church.

13. et ideo qui loquitur lingua oret ut interpretetur

13. And therefore he that speaketh by a tongue, let him pray that he may interpret.

14. nam si orem lingua spiritus meus orat mens autem mea sine fructu est

14. For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is without fruit.

15. quid ergo est orabo spiritu orabo et mente psallam spiritu psallam et mente

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

16. ceterum si benedixeris spiritu qui supplet locum idiotæ quomodo dicet amen super tuam benedictionem quoniam quid dicas nescit

16. Else if thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that holdeth the place of the unlearned say, Amen, to thy blessing ? because he knoweth not what thou sayest.

17. nam tu quidem bene gratias agis sed alter non ædificatur

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

18. gratias ago Deo quod omnium vestrum lingua loquor

18. I thank my God I speak with all your tongues.

19. sed in ecclesia volo quinque verba sensu meo loqui ut et alios instruam quam decem milia verborum in lingua

19. But in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may instruct others also; than ten thousand words in a tongue.

20. fratres nolite pueri effici sensibus sed malitia parvuli estote sensibus autem perfecti estote

20. Brethren, do not become children in sense: but in malice be children, and in sense be perfect.

21. in lege scriptum est quoniam in aliis linguis et labiis aliis loquar populo huic et nec sic exaudient me dicit Dominus

21. In the law it is written: In other tongues and other lips I will speak to this people; and neither so will they hear me, saith the Lord.

22. itaque linguæ in signum sunt non fidelibus sed infidelibus prophetia autem non infidelibus sed fidelibus

22. Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to believers, but to unbelievers; but prophecies not to unbelievers, but to believers.

23. si ergo conveniat universa ecclesia in unum et omnes linguis loquantur intrent autem idiotæ aut infideles nonne dicent quod insanitis

23. If therefore the whole church come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in unlearned persons or infidels, will they not say that you are mad ?

24. si autem omnes prophetent intret autem quis infidelis vel idiota convincitur ab omnibus dijudicatur ab omnibus

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

25. occulta cordis ejus manifesta fiunt et ita cadens in faciem adorabit Deum pronuntians quod vere Deus in vobis est

25. The secrets of his heart are made manifest; and so, falling down on his face, he will adore God, affirming that God is among you indeed.

26. quid ergo est fratres cum convenitis unusquisque vestrum psalmum habet doctrinam habet apocalypsin habet linguam habet interpretationem habet omnia ad ædificationem fiant

26. How is it then, brethren ? When you come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a revelation, hath a tongue, hath an interpretation: let all things be done to edification.

27. sive lingua quis loquitur secundum duos aut ut multum tres et per partes et unus interpretetur

27. If any speak with a tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and in course, and let one interpret.

28. si autem non fuerit interpres taceat in ecclesia sibi autem loquatur et Deo

28. But if there be no interpreter, let him hold his peace in the church, and speak to himself and to God.

29. prophetæ duo aut tres dicant et ceteri dijudicent

29. And let the prophets speak, two or three; and let the rest judge.

30. quod si alii revelatum fuerit sedenti prior taceat

30. But if any thing be revealed to another sitting, let the first hold his peace.

31. potestis enim omnes per singulos prophetare ut omnes discant et omnes exhortentur

31. For you may all prophesy one by one; that all may learn, and all may be exhorted:

32. et spiritus prophetarum prophetis subiecti sunt

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

33. non enim est dissensionis Deus sed pacis sicut in omnibus ecclesiis sanctorum

33. For God is not the God of dissension, but of peace: as also I teach in all the churches of the saints.

34. mulieres in ecclesiis taceant non enim permittitur eis loqui sed subditas esse sicut et lex dicit

34. Let women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted them to speak, but to be subject, as also the law saith.

35. si quid autem volunt discere domi viros suos interrogent turpe est enim mulieri loqui in ecclesia

35. But if they would learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is a shame for a woman to speak in the church.

36. an a vobis verbum Dei processit aut in vos solos pervenit

36. Or did the word of God come out from you ? Or came it only unto you ?

37. si quis videtur propheta esse aut spiritalis cognoscat quæ scribo vobis quia Domini sunt mandata

37. If any seem to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him know the things that I write to you, that they are the commandments of the Lord.

38. si quis autem ignorat ignorabitur

38. But if any man know not, he shall not be known.

39. itaque fratres æmulamini prophetare et loqui linguis nolite prohibere

39. Wherefore, brethren, be zealous to prophesy; and forbid not to speak with tongues.

40. omnia autem honeste et secundum ordinem fiant

40. But let all things be done decently, and according to order.