1st Corinthians 14

 

1 Follow after love, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that you may prophesy (so that all might be edified and profit in the church).

2 For he that speaks in an unknown tongue speaks not to men, but to God: for no man understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks the mysteries (of God).

3 But he that prophesies speaks to men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.

4 He that speaks in an unknown tongue edifies himself; but he that prophesies edifies the (whole) church.

5 I desire that you all speak with tongues but even more so that you prophesy: for greater is he that prophesies than he that speaks with tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may receive edification (from it).

6 Now, brothers, if I come to you speaking with (unknown) tongues, how will I profit you, except I can speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?

7 And even things (like musical instruments) that do not have life giving sounds, whether pipe or harp, if there is no distinction in the sounds, how will it be known what is piped or harped?

8 For if the trumpet gives an unfamiliar sound, who will prepare himself for the battle?

9 So likewise you, except you utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for you will speak into the air.

10 There are so many kinds of languages you may encounter in the world, and none of them is without signification.

11 Therefore if I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be to him that speaks a foreigner, and he that speaks shall be a foreigner to me.

12 Even so you (when you speak), for as much as you are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that you may abound in the edifying of the church.

13 Therefore let him that speaks in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.

14 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.

15 What is it (that I am saying) 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 when you bless with the spirit, how will someone in the room who is not gifted (in interpretation) say Amen at your thanksgiving, seeing he does not understand what you say?

17 For (though) you truly give thanks fittingly, yet the other is not edified.

18 I thank my God (that privately), I speak with tongues more than you all:

19 Yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, so that by my voice I might teach (and give understanding to) others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.

20 Brothers do not be children when it comes to understanding: however, in malice (and wickedness) be infants, but in understanding be (mature) men.

21 In the law it is written, with other tongues and by the lips of other men I will speak to these people; and yet not even then will they hear me (and believe), says the LORD.

22 Wherefore tongues serve as a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that do not believe: but prophesying is not for them that do not believe, but for (the edification, exhortation, and comfort of) those who believe.

23 If therefore the whole church comes together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there comes in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that you are mad?

24 But if all prophesy (interpreting the tongues), and there comes in one that does not believe, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all. 

25 And consequently are the secrets of his heart made manifest; so (that), he will fall facedown, and worship God, declaring that God is certainly among you.

26 How is it then, brothers? When you come together, every one of you has a song, has a doctrine, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done to edify (the church honestly and with order).

27 If any man speaks in an unknown tongue, allow it to be by two, or at the most by three, and in turn; and (then) allow one to interpret.

28 But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.

29 Let the prophets speak two or three and let the others discern.

30 If anything is revealed to another that sits by, let the first (speaker hold his peace and) be silent.

31 For you may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and so all may be comforted.

32 And (know that) the spirit (and words) of the prophets are controlled by the prophet (himself). 

33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

34 Let your wives hold their peace in the (public) church (assemblies): for it is not permitted for them to speak (usurping their husband's authority) but they are (called) to be subjected (to their husband in all humility as unto the Lord) as also the law said.

35 And (to maintain order) if they desire to (ask or) learn anything, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is dishonorable (to the husband) for a wife to speak (out of order) in the church.

36 What? Did the word of God go out from (or originate with) you? Or did it come to only you?

37 If any man thinks himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, he should recognize that the things that I write to you are the precepts of the Lord.

38 But if any man be ignorant (refusing to acknowledge these things), let him remain ignorant (we cannot cast away all things for the sake of such a man).

39 Wherefore brothers, desire to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues.

40 But let all things be done decently and (peacefully) in order (without confusion or chaos).