1 Corinthians 14

Prophecy and Tongues

1Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual things, but especially that you may prophesy. 2For the one speaking in a tongue does not speak to men but to God; for no one understands, but in spirit he speaks mysteries.

3But the one who prophesies speaks to men for building up and encouragement and consolation. 4The one speaking in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church.

5Now I wish that you all spoke in tongues, but even more that you would prophesy; and greater is the one who prophesies than the one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may receive building up.

6But now, brothers, if I come to you speaking in tongues, what will I profit you unless I speak to you either by revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching?

7Yet even lifeless things giving sound, whether flute or harp, if they do not give a distinction in the tones, how will it be known what is played on the flute or on the harp? 8For if the trumpet gives an uncertain sound, who will prepare for battle?

9So also you, unless you give clear speech with the tongue, how will what is spoken be known? For you will be speaking into the air.

10There are perhaps so many kinds of languages in the world, and none is without meaning. 11If then I do not know the meaning of the voice, I will be a foreigner to the speaker, and the speaker a foreigner to me.

12So also you, since you are zealous for spiritual things, seek that you may abound for the building up of the church.

13Therefore let the one who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret. 14For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.

15What then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the mind; I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the mind. 16Otherwise, if you bless in spirit, how will the one occupying the place of the uninstructed say “Amen” at your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying?

17For you give thanks well enough, but the other is not built up. 18I thank God, I speak in tongues more than all of you; 19but in the church I prefer to speak five words with my mind so that I may instruct others also, rather than ten thousand words in a tongue.

Orderly Worship

20Brothers, do not be children in your thinking; yet in evil be infants, but in your thinking be mature.

21In the law it is written,

“By people of other 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.

22So then tongues are for a sign, not to believers but to unbelievers; but prophecy is not for unbelievers but for believers.

23Therefore if the whole church comes together and all speak in tongues, and uninstructed or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are out of your mind? 24But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or uninstructed person enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all; 25the secrets of his heart become manifest; and so falling on his face he will worship God, declaring that God is truly among you.

26What then, brothers? When you come together, each has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up.

27If anyone speaks in a tongue, let it be by two or at most three, and in turn, and let one interpret; 28but if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in the church and speak to himself and to God.

29And let two or three prophets speak, and let the others discern; 30but if something is revealed to another sitting by, let the first keep silent. 31For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all may be encouraged; 32and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets.

33For God is not a God of disorder but of peace.

34let the women keep silent in the churches; for they are not permitted to speak, but let them be in submission, as also the law says. 35And if they desire to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is shameful for a woman to speak in church.

36Or did the word of God go out from you, or did it come to you only? 37If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things I write to you are a command of the Lord. 38But if anyone ignores this, he is ignored.

39Therefore, my brothers, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. 40But let all things be done properly and in order.