1 Corinthians 14

1 FOLLOW after charity, be zealous for spiritual gifts; but rather that you may prophesy.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 But he that prophesieth, speaketh to men unto edification, and exhortation, and comfort.4 He that speaketh in a tongue, edifieth himself: but he that prophesieth, edifieth the church.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 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 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 For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle ?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 There are, for example, so many kinds of tongues in this world; and none is without voice.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 So you also, forasmuch as you are zealous of spirits, seek to abound unto the edifying of the church.13 And therefore he that speaketh by a tongue, let him pray that he may interpret.14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is without fruit.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 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 For thou indeed givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.18 I thank my God I speak with all your tongues.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 Brethren, do not become children in sense: but in malice be children, and in sense be perfect.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 Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to believers, but to unbelievers; but prophecies not to unbelievers, but to believers.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 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 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 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 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 But if there be no interpreter, let him hold his peace in the church, and speak to himself and to God.29 And let the prophets speak, two or three; and let the rest judge.30 But if any thing be revealed to another sitting, let the first hold his peace.31 For you may all prophesy one by one; that all may learn, and all may be exhorted:32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.33 For God is not the God of dissension, but of peace: as also I teach in all the churches of the saints.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 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 Or did the word of God come out from you ? Or came it only unto you ?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 But if any man know not, he shall not be known.39 Wherefore, brethren, be zealous to prophesy; and forbid not to speak with tongues.40 But let all things be done decently, and according to 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.