1 Corinthians 14

1 Follow after love, and earnestly desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.2 For he who speaks in another language speaks not to men, but to God; for no one understands; but in the Spirit he speaks mysteries.3 But he who prophesies speaks to men for their edification, exhortation, and consolation.4 He who speaks in another language edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the assembly.

5 Now 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.
6 But now, brothers,t if I come to you speaking with other languages, what would I profit you, unless I speak toyou either by way of revelation, or of knowledge, or of prophesying, or of teaching?7 Even 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?8 For if the trumpet gave an uncertain sound, who would prepare himself for war?9 So 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.10 There are, it may be, so many kinds of sounds in the world, and none of them is without meaning.11 If 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.12 So also you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, seek that you may abound to the building up of the assembly.13 Therefore let him who speaks in another language pray that he may interpret.

14 For if I pray in another language, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.
15 What 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.16 Otherwise 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?17 For you most certainly give thanks well, but the other person is not built up.18 I thank my God, I speak with other languages more than you all.

19 However 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.
20 Brothers, don’t be children in thoughts, yet in malice be babies, but in thoughts be mature.21 In 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.”t22 Therefore 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.23 If 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?24 But if all prophesy, and someone unbelieving or unlearned comes in, he is reproved by all, and he is judged by all.

25 And 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.
26 What 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.27 If any man speaks in another language, let it be two, or at the most three, and in turn; and let one interpret.28 But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in the assembly, and let him speak to himself, and to God.29 Let the prophets speak, two or three, and let the others discern.30 But if a revelation is made to another sitting by, let the first keep silent.31 For you all can prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be exhorted.32 The spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets,

33 for God is not a God of confusion, but of peace.
As in all the assemblies of the saints,34 let 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.35 If 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.36 What? Was it from you that the word of God went out? Or did it come to you alone?37 If 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.38 But if anyone is ignorant, let him be ignorant.39 Therefore, brothers, desire earnestly to prophesy, and don’t forbid speaking with other languages.

40 Let all things be done decently and in order.

1 Corinthians 14

Prophecy a Superior Gift

1 Pursue love, yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.2 For one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God; for no one understands, but in his spirit he speaks mysteries.3 But one who prophesies speaks to men for edification and exhortation and consolation.4 One who speaks in a tongue edifies himself; but one who prophesies edifies the church.5 Now I wish that you all spoke in tongues, but even more that you would prophesy; and greater is one who prophesies than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may receive edifying.

6 But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking in tongues, what will I profit you unless I speak to you either by way of revelation or of knowledge or of prophecy or of teaching?7 Yet even lifeless things, either flute or harp, in producing a sound, if they do not produce a distinction in the tones, how will it be known what is played on the flute or on the harp?8 For if the bugle produces an indistinct sound, who will prepare himself for battle?9 So also you, unless you utter by the tongue speech that is clear, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air.10 There are, perhaps, a great many kinds of languages in the world, and no kind is without meaning.11 If then I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be to the one who speaks a barbarian, and the one who speaks will be a barbarian to me.12 So also you, since you are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek to abound for the edification of the church.

13 Therefore let one who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret.14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.15 What is the outcome then? I will pray with the spirit and I will pray with the mind also; I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also.16 Otherwise if you bless in the spirit only, how will the one who fills the place of the ungifted say the "Amen" at your giving of thanks, since he does not know what you are saying?17 For you are giving thanks well enough, but the other person is not edified.18 I thank God, I speak in tongues more than you all;19 however, in the church I desire to speak five words with my mind so that I may instruct others also, rather than ten thousand words in a tongue.

Instruction for the Church

20 Brethren, do not be children in your thinking; yet in evil be infants, but in your thinking be mature.21 In the Law it is written, "BY MEN OF STRANGE TONGUES AND BY THE LIPS OF STRANGERS I WILL SPEAK TO THIS PEOPLE, AND EVEN SO THEY WILL NOT LISTEN TO ME," says the Lord.22 So then tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophecy is for a sign, not to unbelievers but to those who believe.23 Therefore if the whole church assembles together and all speak in tongues, and ungifted men or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are mad?24 But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an ungifted man enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all;25 the secrets of his heart are disclosed; and so he will fall on his face and worship God, declaring that God is certainly among you.

26 What is the outcome then, brethren? When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, it should be by two or at the most three, and each in turn, and one must interpret;28 but if there is no interpreter, he must keep silent in the church; and let him speak to himself and to God.29 Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others pass judgment.30 But if a revelation is made to another who is seated, the first one must keep silent.31 For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all may be exhorted;32 and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets;33 for God is not a God of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.

34 The women are to keep silent in the churches; for they are not permitted to speak, but are to subject themselves, just as the Law also says.35 If they desire to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is improper for a woman to speak in church.36 Was it from you that the word of God first went forth? Or has it come to you only?

37 If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual, let him recognize that the things which I write to you are the Lord's commandment.38 But if anyone does not recognize this, he tis not recognized.

39 Therefore, my brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak in tongues.40 But all things must be done properly and in an orderly manner.