¹Follow after love, and earnestly desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.

¹ Araŋ ma anniya haw ka baakasinay di a ma boori. Amma araŋ ma beeje nda Biya Hanno nooyaŋey mo, sanku fa annabitaray teeyaŋ.

¹Follow after love; yet desire earnestly spiritual [gifts], but rather that ye may prophesy.

²For he who speaks in another language speaks not to men, but to God; for no one understands; but in the Spirit he speaks mysteries.

² Zama boro kaŋ ga salaŋ da ciine waani, Irikoy se no a go ga salaŋ, manti borey se, za kaŋ boro kulu si faham d'a, day Biya _Hanno|_ do a go ga gunduyaŋ salaŋ.

²For he that speaketh in a tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God; for no man understandeth; but in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.

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

³ Amma boro kaŋ go ga annabitaray te ga jina-koyyaŋ, da bakaraw, da bine gaabandiyaŋ sanni salaŋ borey se.

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

⁴He who speaks in another language edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the assembly.

⁴ Boro kaŋ go ga salaŋ nda ciine waani, nga boŋ se no a ga jina-koyyaŋ te, amma boro kaŋ go ga annabitaray te, Almasihu marga se no a ga jina-koyyaŋ te.

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

⁵Now 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.

⁵ Ay ga ba araŋ boro kulu ma salaŋ nda ciine waani-waani yaŋ, sanku fa annabitaray teeyaŋ. Zama boro kaŋ go ga annabitaray te, a bisa boro kaŋ go ga salaŋ nda ciine waani-waani yaŋ, da manti a g'a feeri no hala marga ma du ka koy jina.

⁵Now 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.

⁶But now, brothers, The word for “brothers” here and where context allows may also be correctly translated “brothers and sisters” or “siblings.” 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?

⁶ Sohõ binde, nya-izey, d'ay kaa araŋ do ka salaŋ da ciine waani-waani yaŋ, ifo no ay ga hanse araŋ se, da manti ay ga salaŋ araŋ se da bangandiyaŋ fo, wala bayray, wala annabitaray, wala dondonandiyaŋ?

⁶But now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, unless I speak to you either by way of revelation, or of knowledge, or of prophesying, or of teaching?

⁷Even things without life, giving a voice, whether pipe or harp, if they didn’t give a distinction in the sounds, how would it be known what is piped or harped?

⁷ Baa hayey kaŋ sinda fundi kaŋ boro g'i kar, da seese no wala moolo no, d'i s'a jinda fayanka, mate boro ga te ka bay haŋ kaŋ seesa wala moola ga ba ka ci?

⁷Even things without life, giving a voice, whether pipe or harp, if they give not a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?

⁸For if the trumpet gave an uncertain sound, who would prepare himself for war?

⁸ Zama d'i na hilli kar kaŋ jinda mana kay ka boori, mate no boro ga te ka soola wongu se?

⁸For if the trumpet give an uncertain voice, who shall prepare himself for war?

⁹So 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.

⁹ Yaadin mo no araŋ bumbey, d'araŋ deeney si sanni kaŋ i ga tara ka faham d'a salaŋ, mate no i ga te ka bay haŋ kaŋ araŋ goono ga ci? Zama araŋ goono ga salaŋ hawo ra.

⁹So also ye, unless ye utter by the tongue speech easy to understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye will be speaking into the air.

¹⁰There are, it may be, so many kinds of sounds in the world, and none of them is without meaning.

¹⁰ Baa kaŋ jinde waani-waani boobo go ndunnya ra, i afo kulu si jaŋ haŋ kaŋ ga fahamandi.

¹⁰There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and no [kind] is without signification.

¹¹If then I don’t know the meaning of the sound, I would be to him who speaks a foreigner, and he who speaks would be a foreigner to me.

¹¹ Amma d'ay si faham d'a jinda, ay go sanda mebaraw cine bora kaŋ salaŋ se. Nga mo kaŋ go ga salaŋ ga hima ay se mebaraw.

¹¹If then I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be to him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh will be a barbarian unto me.

¹²So also you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, seek that you may abound to the building up of the assembly.

¹² Yaadin gaa araŋ wo, za kaŋ araŋ gonda anniya araŋ ma du Biya Hanno nooyaŋey, kala araŋ ma ceeci nda baayaŋ wo kaŋ yaŋ ga naŋ Almasihu marga ma koy da jina.

¹²So also ye, since ye are zealous of spiritual [gifts], seek that ye may abound unto the edifying of the church.

¹³Therefore let him who speaks in another language pray that he may interpret.

¹³ Woodin se no boro kaŋ go ga salaŋ nda ciine waani, a ma Irikoy ŋwaaray hala nga ma du k'a feeri.

¹³Wherefore let him that speaketh in a tongue pray that he may interpret.

¹⁴For if I pray in another language, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.

¹⁴ Zama d'ay te adduwa ciine waani ra, ay biya go ga salaŋ amma ay fahama mana du albarka.

¹⁴For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prayeth, 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.

¹⁵ Mate no? Ay ga adduwa te da biya, ay ga adduwa te da fahamay mo. Ay ga baytu te da biya, ay ga baytu te da fahamay mo.

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 fills the place of the unlearned say the “Amen” at your giving of thanks, seeing he doesn’t know what you say?

¹⁶ Da manti yaadin, da ni go ga saabu nda biya, mate no boro kaŋ si waani ga te ka ne: «Amin!» ni saabuyaŋo banda, za kaŋ a si bay haŋ kaŋ no ni go ga ci?

¹⁶Else if thou bless with the spirit, how shall he that filleth the place of the unlearned say the Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he knoweth not what thou sayest?

¹⁷For you most certainly give thanks well, but the other person is not built up.

¹⁷ Zama nin wo, daahir ni go ga saabu ihanna dumo, amma bora din mana du jina-koyyaŋ.

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

¹⁸I thank my God, I speak with other languages more than you all.

¹⁸ Ay ga Irikoy saabu kaŋ ay ga salaŋ da ciine waani-waani yaŋ ka bisa araŋ kulu.

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

¹⁹However 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.

¹⁹ Kulu nda yaadin, Almasihu marga ra a ga bisa ay se ay ma sann'ize gu ci d'ay fahama, ya du ka cindey dondonandi, ka bisa ay ma sann'ize zambar way te da ciine waani.

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

²⁰Brothers, don’t be children in thoughts, yet in malice be babies, but in thoughts be mature.

²⁰ Nya-izey, fahamay ra araŋ ma si ciya zankayaŋ. Amma laala do haray araŋ ma ciya zanka kaynayaŋ, fahamay do haray mo araŋ ma te albeeriyaŋ.

²⁰Brethren, be not children in mind: yet in malice be ye babes, but in mind be men.

²¹In the law it is written, “By men of strange languages and by the lips of strangers I will speak to this people. Not even thus will they hear me, says the Lord.” Isaiah 28:11-12

²¹ Tawretu* ra i n'a hantum kaŋ Rabbi ne: «Ay ga salaŋ dumo wo se da ciine waani-waaney, da mebarawey meyey, amma kulu nda yaadin i ga wangu ka maa.»

²¹In the law it is written, By men of strange tongues and by the lips of strangers will I speak unto this people; and not even thus will they hear me, saith the Lord.

²²Therefore 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.

²² Yaadin gaa, ciine waani-waaney ga ciya alaama borey kaŋ yaŋ mana cimandi se, manti cimandikoy se. Amma annabitaray ga ciya alaama cimandikoy se, manti borey kaŋ yaŋ mana cimandi se.

²²Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to the unbelieving: but prophesying [is for a sign], not to the unbelieving, but to them that believe.

²³If 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?

²³ Da Almasihu marga kulu margu care banda, nga no boro kulu ga salaŋ da ciine waani-waani mo, da boro fooyaŋ furo mo kaŋ mana caw, wala kaŋ mana cimandi, manti i ga ne araŋ follo no?

²³If therefore the whole church be assembled together and all speak with tongues, and there come in men unlearned or unbelieving, will they not say that ye are mad?

²⁴But if all prophesy, and someone unbelieving or unlearned comes in, he is reproved by all, and he is judged by all.

²⁴ Amma d'araŋ kulu go ga annabitaray te, nga no boro fo furo mo kaŋ mana cimandi wala kaŋ mana caw, annabitaray sanney kulu g'a zeeri, ikulu g'a neesi,

²⁴But if all prophesy, and there come in one unbelieving or unlearned, he is reproved by all, he is judged by all;

²⁵And 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.

²⁵ a bina gundey mo ga bangay. Nga mo, kal a ma kaŋ ganda birante ka sududu Irikoy se ka seeda kaŋ daahir Irikoy go araŋ game ra.

²⁵the secrets of his heart are made manifest; and so he will fall down on his face and worship God, declaring that God is among you indeed.

²⁶What is it then, brothers? When you come together, each one of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has another language, has an interpretation. Let all things be done to build each other up.

²⁶ Yaadin gaa, mate no a ga bara nd'a, nya-izey? Waati kaŋ araŋ ga margu care banda, boro fo kulu gonda zabura fo, wala dondonandiyaŋ fo, wala bangandiyaŋ fo, wala ciine waani fo, wala a feeriji fo. Wa naŋ hay kulu ma te jina-koyyaŋ se.

²⁶What is it then, brethren? When ye come together, each one hath a psalm, hath a teaching, hath a revelation, hath a tongue, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.

²⁷If any man speaks in another language, let it be two, or at the most three, and in turn; and let one interpret.

²⁷ Da boro ga salaŋ da ciine waani, kala ngey boro hinka, wala a ma si bisa ihinza. I ma salaŋ afo-fo, boro fo mo ma feeri.

²⁷If any man speaketh in a tongue, [let it be] by two, or at the most three, and [that] in turn; and let one interpret:

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

²⁸ Amma da sanni feeriko si no, kala bora ma dangay Almasihu marga ra, a ma salaŋ nga boŋ se da Irikoy se mo.

²⁸but if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.

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

²⁹ Annabey mo ma salaŋ, ngey boro hinka wala ihinza, cindey mo ma sanney neesi.

²⁹And let the prophets speak [by] two or three, and let the others discern.

³⁰But if a revelation is made to another sitting by, let the first keep silent.

³⁰ Amma da boro fo kaŋ go ga goro noodin du bangandiyaŋ, bora kaŋ go ga salaŋ ma dangay.

³⁰But if a revelation be made to another sitting by, let the first keep silence.

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

³¹ Zama araŋ kulu ga du ka annabitaray te afo-fo, hala boro kulu ma dondon, ikulu ma du yaamaryaŋ mo.

³¹For ye all can prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be exhorted;

³²The spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets,

³² Annabi kulu biya mo go nga bumbo dabaro ra,

³²and the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets;

³³for God is not a God of confusion, but of peace. As in all the assemblies of the saints,

³³ zama Irikoy ya manti kosongu wane no, amma laakal kanay wane no. Mate kaŋ a bara hanantey margey kulu ra,

³³for God is not [a God] of confusion, but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints,

³⁴let your wives keep silent in the assemblies, for it has not been permitted for them to speak; but let them be in subjection, as the law also says.

³⁴ wa naŋ wayborey ma dangay Almasihu margey ra, zama i mana yadda i se i ma salaŋ, amma i ma ngey boŋ ye ganda, mate kaŋ cine Tawreto* ci.

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

³⁵If they desire to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home, for it is shameful for a woman to chatter in the assembly.

³⁵ D'i ga ba ngey ma du boŋ-feeray mo, kal i ma ngey kurnyey hã fu, zama haawi hari no wayborey ma salaŋ Almasihu marga ra.

³⁵And if they would learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home: for it is shameful for a woman to speak in the church.

³⁶What? Was it from you that the word of God went out? Or did it come to you alone?

³⁶ Mate no? Araŋ do no Irikoy sanno fun? Wala araŋ do hinne no a kaa?

³⁶What? was it from you that the word of God went forth? or came it unto you alone?

³⁷If 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.

³⁷ Da boro fo ga miila nga ya annabi no, wala boro kaŋ gonda Biya Hanno nooyaŋ, kal a ma woone bay: hayo kaŋ ay go ga hantum araŋ se ya Irikoy lordo no.

³⁷If any man thinketh himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him take knowledge of the things which I write unto you, that they are the commandment of the Lord.

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

³⁸ Amma da boro fo baa si nd'a, i ma saalay kaa bora din gaa.

³⁸But if any man is ignorant, let him be ignorant.

³⁹Therefore, brothers, desire earnestly to prophesy, and don’t forbid speaking with other languages.

³⁹ Yaadin gaa, ay nya-izey, wa beeje nda annabitaray teeyaŋ, wa si wangu mo borey ma salaŋ da ciine waani-waani yaŋ.

³⁹Wherefore, my brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.

⁴⁰Let all things be done decently and in order.

⁴⁰ Amma hay kulu ma te da laakal, i m'a te nga fonda boŋ mo.

⁴⁰But let all things be done decently and in order.