1 Corinthians 14

Pursue love, but be zealous for the spiritual gifts, but especially that you might prophesy.

For the one speaking in a tongue does not speak to men, but to God; for no one understands, but he speaks mysteries in spirit.

But the one prophesying speaks to men for building up and encouragement and consolation.

The one speaking in a tongue builds up himself, but the one prophesying builds up the church. \*

Now I desire you all to speak in tongues, but even more, that you might prophesy. Now the one prophesying is greater than the one speaking in tongues (unless he would interpret, so that the church might receive building up).

But now, brothers, if I come to you speaking in tongues, what will I benefit you unless I speak to you either in revelation or in knowledge or in prophecy or teaching? \*

Even lifeless things giving sounds—whether flute or harp—if they would not give different sounds, how will the thing being played on the flute or the thing being played on the harp be known?

For indeed, if a trumpet gives an uncertain sound, who will prepare for battle?

In the same way also you, unless you give intelligible speech with your tongue, how will the thing being spoken be understood? For you will be speaking into the air. \*

There are doubtless so many kinds of languages in the world, and none {is} without meaning.

If then I would not know the meaning of the language, I will be a foreigner to the one speaking, and the one speaking {will be} a foreigner to me. \*

So also you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts for the building up of the church, seek that you would abound in them.

So let the one speaking in a tongue pray that he might interpret.

If I would pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. \*

What then is it? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind. I will sing with my spirit, and I will also sing with my mind.

Otherwise, if you bless with the spirit, how will the one filling the place of the ungifted say the “Amen” at your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying? \*

For you certainly give thanks well, but the other {person} is not built up.

I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you;

but in the church I prefer to speak five words with my mind so that I might also instruct others, than myriads of words in a tongue. \*

Brothers, do not become children in your thoughts. Rather, be childlike in evil, but become mature in the thoughts.

In the Law it is written, “By {people} of other tongues and by the lips of strangers I will speak to this people, but not even in this way will they hear me,” says the Lord. \*

So then, the tongues are for a sign, not to the ones believing, but to the unbelievers; but prophecy {is} not to the unbelievers, but to the ones believing.

If, therefore, the whole church might come together to the same place and they would all speak in tongues, but ungifted or unbelievers would come in, will they not say that you are insane? \*

But if they all would prophesy, but some unbeliever or ungifted person might come in, he is convicted by all, he is examined by all,

the secrets of his heart become visible, and so, having fallen on his face, he will worship God, declaring, “God is really among you.” \*

What then is to be, brothers? When you come together, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, {or} has an interpretation. Let all things happen for building up.

If anyone speaks in a tongue, {it should be} by two or at most three, and in turn, and one must interpret.

But if there is not an interpreter, let him be silent in the church. Instead, let him speak to himself and to God. \*

But let two or three prophets speak, and let the others evaluate.

But if {something} is revealed to another sitting there, let the first be silent. \*

For all are able to prophesy one by one so that all may learn, and all may be encouraged.

Indeed, the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets.

For God is not of confusion, but of peace. \* As in all the churches of the saints,

let the women be silent in the churches. For it is not permitted for them to speak, but to be in submission, just as also the law says.

But if they desire to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home, for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in church.

Or did the word of God go out from you? Or did it come only to you? \*

If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that what I write to you is a command of the Lord.

But if anyone is ignorant, let him be ignorant. \*

So then, brothers, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak in tongues.

But let all things be done properly and in order. \*