1 Corinthians 14

1 Pursue charity. Be zealous for spiritual things, but only so that you may prophesy.2 For whoever speaks in tongues, speaks not to men, but to God. For no one understands. Yet by the Spirit, he speaks mysteries.3 But whoever prophesies speaks to men for edification and exhortation and consolation.4 Whoever speaks in tongues edifies himself. But whoever prophesies edifies the Church.5 Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but more so to prophesy. For he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks in tongues, unless perhaps he interprets, so that the Church may receive edification.6 But now, brothers, if I were to come to you speaking in tongues, how would it benefit you, unless instead I speak to you in revelation, or in knowledge, or in prophecy, or in doctrine?7 Even those things that are without a soul can make sounds, whether it is a wind or a stringed instrument. But unless they present a distinction within the sounds, how will it be known which is from the pipe and which is from the string?8 For example, if the trumpet made an uncertain sound, who would prepare himself for battle?9 So it is with you also, for unless you utter with the tongue in plain speech, how will it be known what is said? For then you would be speaking into the air.10 Consider that there are so many different kinds of languages in this world, and yet none is without a voice.11 Therefore, if I do not understand the nature of the voice, then I shall be like a foreigner to the one with whom I am speaking; and he who is speaking will be like a foreigner to me.12 So it is with you also. And since you are zealous for what is spiritual, seek the edification of the Church, so that you may abound.13 For this reason, too, whoever speaks in tongues, let him pray for the interpretation.14 So, if I pray in tongues, my spirit prays, but my mind is without fruit.15 What is next? I should pray with the spirit, and also pray with the mind. I should sing psalms with the spirit, and also recite psalms with the mind.16 Otherwise, if you have blessed only with the spirit, how can someone, in a state of ignorance, add an “Amen” to your blessing? For he does not know what you are saying.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?24 But if everyone prophesies, and one who is ignorant or unbelieving enters, he may be convinced by it all, because he understands it all.25 The secrets of his heart are then made manifest. And so, falling to his face, he would adore God, proclaiming that God is truly among you.26 What is next, brothers? When you gather together, each one of you may have a psalm, or a doctrine, or a revelation, or a language, or an interpretation, but let everything be done for edification.27 If anyone is speaking in tongues, let there be only two, or at most three, and then in turn, and let someone interpret.28 But if there is no one to interpret, he should remain silent in the church, then he may speak when he is alone with God.29 And let the prophets speak, two or three, and let the others discern.30 But then, if something is revealed to another who is sitting, let the first one become silent.31 For you are all able to prophesy one at a time, so that all may learn and all may be encouraged.32 For the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.33 And God is not of dissension, but of peace, just as I also teach in all the churches of the saints.34 Women should be silent in the churches. For it is not permitted for them to speak; but instead, they should be subordinate, as the law also says.35 And if they want to learn anything, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in church.36 So now, did the Word of God proceed from you? Or was it sent to you alone?37 If anyone seems to be a prophet or a spiritual person, he should understand these things which I am writing to you, that these things are the commandments of the Lord.38 If anyone does not recognize these things, he should not be recognized.39 And so, brothers, be zealous to prophesy, and do not prohibit speaking in tongues.40 But let everything be done respectfully and according to proper order.

1 Corinthians 14

Prophecy and Tongues

1 Pursue love and be eager for the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy.2 For the one speaking in a tongue does not speak to people but to God, for no one understands; he is speaking mysteries by the Spirit.t3 But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening,t encouragement, and consolation.4 The one who speaks in a tongue builds himself up,s but the one who prophesies builds up the church.

5 I wish you all spoke in tongues, but even more that you would prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets so that the church may be strengthened.
6 Now, brothers and sisters,t if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I help you unless I speak to you with a revelation or with knowledge or prophecy or teaching?7 It is similar for lifeless things that make a sound, like a flute or harp. Unless they make a distinction in the notes, how can what is played on the flute or harp be understood?8 If, for example, the trumpet makes an unclear sound, who will get ready for battle?9 It is the same for you. If you do not speak clearly with your tongue, how will anyone know what is being said? For you will be speaking into the air.10 There are probably many kinds of languages in the world, and none is without meaning.11 If then I do not know the meaning of a language, I will be a foreigner to the speaker and the speaker a foreigner to me.

12 It is the same with you. Since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit,t seek to abound in order to strengthen the church.
13 So then, one who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret.14 Ifs I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unproductive.15 What should I do?t I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind. I will sing praises with my spirit, but I will also sing praises with my mind.16 Otherwise, if you are praising God with your spirit, how can someone without the giftt say “Amen” to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying?17 For you are certainly giving thanks well, but the other person is not strengthened.18 I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you,

19 but in the church I want to speak five words with my mind to instruct others, rather than ten thousand words in a tongue.
20 Brothers and sisters,t do not be children in your thinking. Instead, be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature.21 It is written in the law: “By people with strange tongues and by the lips of strangers I will speak to this people, yet not even in this way will they listen to me,”s says the Lord.22 So then, tongues are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers. Prophecy, however, is not for unbelievers but for believers.23 So if the whole church comes together and all speak in tongues, and unbelievers or uninformed people enter, will they not say that you have lost your minds?24 But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or uninformed person enters, he will be convicted by all, he will be called to account by all.

25 The secrets of his heart are disclosed, and in this way he will fall down with his face to the ground and worship God, declaring, “God is really among you.”

Church Order

26 What should you do then, brothers and sisters?t When you come together, each one has a song, has a lesson, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all these things be done for the strengthening of the church.27 If someone speaks in a tongue, it should be two, or at the most three, one after the other, and someone must interpret.28 But if there is no interpreter, he should be silent in the church. Let him speak to himself and to God.29 Two or three prophets should speak and the others should evaluate what is said.30 And if someone sitting down receives a revelation, the person who is speaking should conclude.31 For you can all prophesy one after another, so all can learn and be encouraged.32 Indeed, the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets,

33 for God is not characterized by disorder but by peace.
As in all the churches of the saints,s34 the woment should be silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak.s Rather, let them be in submission, as in fact the law says.35 If they want to find out about something, they should ask their husbands at home, because it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in church.s

36 Did the word of God begin with you,t or did it come to you alone?
37 If anyone considers himself a prophet or spiritual person, he should acknowledge that what I write to you is the Lord’s command.38 If someone does not recognize this, he is not recognized.39 So then, brothers and sisters,st be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid anyone from speaking in tongues.t

40 And do everything in a decent and orderly manner.