1 Corinthians 14:20 bbe — My brothers, do not be children in mind: in evil be as little children, but in mind be of full growth.

Bible in Basic English

"My brothers, do not be children in mind: in evil be as little children, but in mind be of full growth."

— 1 Corinthians 14:20, Bible in Basic English

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1 Corinthians 14:20 in Other Translations

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1 Corinthians 14 — Context

17

For your giving of the blessing is certainly well done, but of no profit to the man without knowledge.

18

I give praise to God that I am able to make use of tongues more than you all:

19

But in the church it would be better for me to make use of five words of which the sense was clear, so that others might have profit, than ten thousand words in a strange tongue.

20

My brothers, do not be children in mind: in evil be as little children, but in mind be of full growth.

21

In the law it is said, By men of other tongues and by strange lips will my words come to this people; and not even so will they give ear to me, says the Lord.

22

For this reason tongues are for a sign, not to those who have faith, but to those who have not: but the prophet's word is for those who have faith, and not for the rest who have not.

23

If, then, the church has come together, and all are using tongues, and there come in men without knowledge or faith, will they not say that you are unbalanced?

1 Corinthians 14:20 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does 1 Corinthians 14:20 say?
1 Corinthians 14:20 in the Bible in Basic English reads: “My brothers, do not be children in mind: in evil be as little children, but in mind be of full growth.”
Where is 1 Corinthians 14:20 in the Bible?
1 Corinthians 14:20 is found in the New Testament, in the book of 1 Corinthians, chapter 14, verse 20.
Who wrote 1 Corinthians?
1 Corinthians is traditionally attributed to Paul the Apostle. It was written c. AD 55.
What is the book of 1 Corinthians about?
Paul writes to a gifted but fractured church wrestling with divisions, sexual sin, lawsuits, marriage questions, food offered to idols, and disorder in worship. Through every issue he points back to the cross, the Spirit, and the resurrection — and gives us the church's greatest chapter on love.
What are the major themes of 1 Corinthians?
1 Corinthians explores themes including Unity, Cross, Spiritual Gifts, Love, Resurrection. These themes shape the meaning and context of 1 Corinthians 14:20.
What translation should I read 1 Corinthians 14:20 in?
1 Corinthians 14:20 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize 1 Corinthians 14:20?
1 Corinthians 14:20 reads (BBE): “My brothers, do not be children in mind: in evil be as little children, but in mind be of full growth.” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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