1 Corinthians 14
Intelligibility in Worship
1 Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy.2 For anyone who speaks in a tonguet does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit.3 But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort.4 Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves, but the one who prophesies edifies the church.5 I would like every one of you to speak in tongues,t but I would rather have you prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues,t unless someone interprets, so that the church may be edified.
6 Now, brothers and sisters, if I come to you and speak in tongues, what good will I be to you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or word of instruction?7 Even in the case of lifeless things that make sounds, such as the pipe or harp, how will anyone know what tune is being played unless there is a distinction in the notes?8 Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle?9 So it is with you. Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air.10 Undoubtedly there are all sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning.11 If then I do not grasp the meaning of what someone is saying, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and the speaker is a foreigner to me.12 So it is with you. Since you are eager for gifts of the Spirit, try to excel in those that build up the church.
13 For this reason the one who speaks in a tongue should pray that they may interpret what they say.14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.15 So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my understanding; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my understanding.16 Otherwise when you are praising God in the Spirit, how can someone else, who is now put in the position of an inquirer,t say "Amen" to your thanksgiving, since they do not know what you are saying?17 You are giving thanks well enough, but no one else is edified.
18 I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you.19 But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.
20 Brothers and sisters, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults.
21 In the Law it is written:
"With other tongues
and through the lips of foreigners
I will speak to this people,
but even then they will not listen to me,
says the Lord."t
22 Tongues, then, 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 everyone speaks in tongues, and inquirers or unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind?24 But if an unbeliever or an inquirer comes in while everyone is prophesying, they are convicted of sin and are brought under judgment by all,25 as the secrets of their hearts are laid bare. So they will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, "God is really among you!"
Good Order in Worship
26 What then shall we say, brothers and sisters? When you come together, each of you has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. Everything must be done so that the church may be built up.27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, two—or at the most three—should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret.28 If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and to God.
29 Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said.30 And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop.31 For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged.32 The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets.33 For God is not a God of disorder but of peace—as in all the congregations of the Lord's people.
34 Woment should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says.35 If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church.t
36 Or did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only people it has reached?37 If anyone thinks they are a prophet or otherwise gifted by the Spirit, let them acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord's command.38 But if anyone ignores this, they will themselves be ignored.t
39 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.40 But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.
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.
