1 Corinthians 14
14
1FOLLOW after charity, be zealous for spiritual gifts; but rather that you may prophesy.
2For he that speaketh in a tongue, speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man heareth. Yet by the Spirit he speaketh mysteries.
3But he that prophesieth, speaketh to men unto edification, and exhortation, and comfort.
4He that speaketh in a tongue, edifieth himself: but he that prophesieth, edifieth the church.
5And I would have you all to speak with tongues, but rather to prophesy. For greater is he that prophesieth, than he that speaketh with tongues: unless perhaps he interpret, that the church may receive edification.
6But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, unless I speak to you either in revelation, or in knowledge, or in prophecy, or in doctrine?
7Even things without life that give sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction of sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?
8For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?
9So likewise you, except you utter by the tongue plain speech, how shall it be known what is said? For you shall be speaking into the air.
10There are, for example, so many kinds of tongues in this world; and none is without voice.
11If then I know not the power of the voice, I shall be to him to whom I speak a barbarian; and he that speaketh, a barbarian to me.
12So you also, forasmuch as you are zealous of spirits, seek to abound unto the edifying of the church.
13And therefore he that speaketh by a tongue, let him pray that he may interpret.
14For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is without fruit.
15What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, I will pray also with the understanding; I will sing with the spirit, I will sing also with the understanding.
16Else if thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that holdeth the place of the unlearned say, Amen, to thy blessing? because he knoweth not what thou sayest.
17For thou indeed givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.
18I thank my God I speak with all your tongues.
19But in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may instruct others also; than ten thousand words in a tongue.
20Brethren, do not become children in sense: but in malice be children, and in sense be perfect.
21In the law it is written: In other tongues and other lips I will speak to this people; and neither so will they hear me, saith the Lord.
22Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to believers, but to unbelievers; but prophecies not to unbelievers, but to believers.
23If therefore the whole church come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in unlearned persons or infidels, will they not say that you are mad?
24But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or an unlearned person, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all.
25The secrets of his heart are made manifest; and so, falling down on his face, he will adore God, affirming that God is among you indeed.
26How is it then, brethren? When you come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a revelation, hath a tongue, hath an interpretation: let all things be done to edification.
27If any speak with a tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and in course, and let one interpret.
28But if there be no interpreter, let him hold his peace in the church, and speak to himself and to God.
29And let the prophets speak, two or three; and let the rest judge.
30But if any thing be revealed to another sitting, let the first hold his peace.
31For you may all prophesy one by one; that all may learn, and all may be exhorted:
32And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.
33For God is not the God of dissension, but of peace: as also I teach in all the churches of the saints.
34Let women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted them to speak, but to be subject, as also the law saith.
35But if they would learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is a shame for a woman to speak in the church.
36Or did the word of God come out from you? Or came it only unto you?
37If any seem to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him know the things that I write to you, that they are the commandments of the Lord.
38But if any man know not, he shall not be known.
39Wherefore, brethren, be zealous to prophesy; and forbid not to speak with tongues.
40But let all things be done decently, and according to order.
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1 Corinthians 14: DRC1752
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An historical text maintained by the British and Foreign Bible Society.
1 Corinthians 14
14
Appropriate Use of Prophecy and Tongues
1 Pursue love, and strive for spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. 2For the one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God, because no one understands, but by the Spirit#Or “in the Spirit”; or “in his spirit” he speaks mysteries. 3But the one who prophesies speaks to people edification and encouragement and consolation. 4The one who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but the one who prophesies edifies the church. 5Now I want you all to speak with tongues, but even more that you may prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks with tongues, unless he interprets, in order that the church may receive edification.
6But now, brothers, if I come to you speaking with tongues, how do I benefit you, unless I speak to you either with a revelation or with knowledge or with a prophecy or with a teaching? 7Likewise, the inanimate things which produce a sound, whether flute or lyre, if they do not produce a distinction in the tones, how will it be known what is played on the flute or on the lyre? 8For indeed, if the trumpet produces an indistinct sound, who will prepare for battle? 9And so you through the tongue, unless you produce a clear message, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air. 10There are probably so many kinds of languages in the world, and none without meaning. 11Therefore, if I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be a barbarian to the one who is speaking, and the one who is speaking will be a barbarian in my judgment. 12In this way also you, since you are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek for the edification of the church, in order that you may abound.
13Therefore the one who speaks in a tongue must pray that he may interpret. 14For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays but my mind is unproductive. 15Therefore what should I do#Literally “what therefore is it”? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind. I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will also sing praise with my mind. 16For otherwise, if you praise in your spirit, how will the one who fills the place of the outsider say the “amen” at your thanksgiving, because he does not know what you are saying? 17For indeed you are giving thanks well, but the other person is not edified. 18I give thanks to God that I speak with tongues more than all of you, 19but in the church I prefer to speak five words with my mind, in order that I may instruct other people, than ten thousand words in a tongue.
20Brothers, do not become children in your understanding, but with respect to wickedness be as a child, and in your understanding be mature. 21In the law it is written:
“By those who speak a foreign language
and by the lips of others
I will speak to this people,
and not even in this way will they obey me,”#A quotation from Isa 28:11–12
says the Lord. 22So then, tongues are for a sign not to those who believe, but to unbelievers, but prophecy is not for unbelievers, but for those who believe. 23Therefore, if the whole church comes together at the same time and all speak with tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are out of your minds? 24But if all prophesy, and some unbeliever or outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is judged by all, 25the secret things of his heart become evident, and so, falling on his face, he will worship God, proclaiming, “God is truly among you!”
Specific Instructions for Orderly Worship Services
26Therefore what should you do#Literally “what therefore is it”, brothers? Whenever you come together, each one of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. All things must be done for edification. 27If anyone speaks in a tongue, it must be on one occasion two or at most three, and one after the other#Literally “in turn”, and one must interpret. 28But if there is no interpreter, he must be silent in the church, but let him speak to himself and to God. 29Let two or three prophets speak, and the others evaluate. 30And if something is revealed to another who is seated, the first must be silent. 31For you are all able to prophesy in turn#Literally “one at a time, in order 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.
As in all the churches of the saints, 34the women must be silent in the churches, for it is not permitted for them to speak, but they must be in submission, just as the law also says. 35But if they want to learn something, let them ask their own husbands at home, for it is shameful for a woman to speak in church. 36Or has the word of God gone out from you, or has it come to you only?
37If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual,#Or “or one who possesses the Spirit” he should recognize that the things which I am writing to you are of the Lord.#Some manuscripts have “are a command of the Lord” 38But if anyone ignores this, he is ignored.#Or “if anyone is ignorant, let him be ignorant” 39So then, my brothers, desire to prophesy, and do not prevent speaking with tongues. 40But let all things be done decently and according to proper procedure.
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