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.

1 Corinthians 14

1 Follow after love; yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.2 For he that speaketh in a tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God; for no man understandeth; but in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men edification, and exhortation, and consolation.4 He that speaketh in a tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.5 Now I would have you all speak with tongues, but rather that ye should prophesy: and greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.6 But now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, unless I speak to you 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 give not a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?8 For if the trumpet give an uncertain voice, who shall prepare himself for war?9 So also ye, unless ye utter by the tongue speech easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye will be speaking into the air.10 There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and no kind is without signification.11 If then I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be to him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh will be a barbarian unto me.12 So also ye, since ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may abound unto the edifying of the church.13 Wherefore let him that speaketh in a tongue pray that he may interpret.14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prayeth, 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 Else if thou bless with the spirit, how shall he that filleth the place of the unlearned say the Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he knoweth not what thou sayest?17 For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.18 I thank God, I speak with tongues more than you all:19 howbeit in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that I might instruct others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue.20 Brethren, be not children in mind: yet in malice be ye babes, but in mind be men.21 In the law it is written, By men of strange tongues and by the lips of strangers will I speak unto this people; and not even thus will they hear me, saith the Lord.22 Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to the unbelieving: but prophesying is for a sign, not to the unbelieving, but to them that believe.23 If therefore the whole church be assembled together and all speak with tongues, and there come in men unlearned or unbelieving, will they not say that ye are mad?24 But if all prophesy, and there come in one unbelieving or unlearned, he is reproved by all, he is judged by all;25 the secrets of his heart are made manifest; and so he will fall down on his face and worship God, declaring that God is among you indeed.26 What is it then, brethren? When ye come together, each one hath a psalm, hath a teaching, hath a revelation, hath a tongue, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.27 If any man speaketh in a tongue, let it be by two, or at the most three, and that in turn; and let one interpret:28 but if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.29 And let the prophets speak by two or three, and let the others discern.30 But if a revelation be made to another sitting by, let the first keep silence.31 For ye all can 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 a God of confusion, but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints,34 let the women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but let them be in subjection, as also saith the law.35 And if they would learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home: for it is shameful for a woman to speak in the church.36 What? was it from you that the word of God went forth? or came it unto you alone?37 If any man thinketh himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him take knowledge of the things which I write unto you, that they are the commandment of the Lord.38 But if any man is ignorant, let him be ignorant.39 Wherefore, my brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.40 But let all things be done decently and in order.