1 Corinthians 14:20 cpdv — Brothers, do not choose to have the minds of children. Instead, be free of malice like infants, but be mature in your m…

Catholic Public Domain Version

"Brothers, do not choose to have the minds of children. Instead, be free of malice like infants, but be mature in your minds. "

— 1 Corinthians 14:20, Catholic Public Domain Version

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1 Corinthians 14:20 in Other Translations

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1 Corinthians 14 — Context

17

In this case, certainly, you give thanks well, but the other person is not edified.

18

I thank my God that I speak in tongues for all of you.

19

But in the Church, I prefer to speak five words from my mind, so that I may instruct others also, rather than ten thousand words in tongues.

20

Brothers, do not choose to have the minds of children. Instead, be free of malice like infants, but be mature in your minds.

21

It is written in the law: “I will speak to this people with other tongues and other lips, and even so, they will not heed me, says the Lord.”

22

And so, tongues are a sign, not for believers, but for unbelievers; and prophecies are not for unbelievers, but for believers.

23

If then, the entire Church were to gather together as one, and if all were to speak in tongues, and then ignorant or unbelieving persons were to enter, would they not say that you were insane?

1 Corinthians 14:20 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does 1 Corinthians 14:20 say?
1 Corinthians 14:20 in the Catholic Public Domain Version reads: “Brothers, do not choose to have the minds of children. Instead, be free of malice like infants, but be mature in your minds. ”
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 (CPDV): “Brothers, do not choose to have the minds of children. Instead, be free of malice like infants, but be mature in your minds. ” 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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