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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An historical text maintained by the British and Foreign Bible Society.
1 Corinthians 14
14
Speaking Unknown Languages and Prophesying
1Love should be your guide. Be eager to have the gifts that come from the Holy Spirit, especially the gift of prophecy. 2If you speak languages that others don't know, God will understand what you are saying, though no one else will know what you mean. You will be talking about mysteries that only the Spirit understands. 3But when you prophesy, you will be understood, and others will be helped. They will be encouraged and made to feel better.
4By speaking languages that others don't know, you help only yourself. But by prophesying you help everyone in the church. 5I am glad for you to speak unknown languages, although I prefer that you would prophesy. In fact, prophesying does much more good than speaking unknown languages, unless someone can help the church by explaining what you mean.
6My friends, what good would it do, if I came and spoke unknown languages to you and didn't explain what I meant? How would I help you, unless I told you what God had shown me or gave you some knowledge or prophecy or teaching? 7If all musical instruments sounded alike, how would you know the difference between a flute and a harp? 8If a bugle call isn't clear, how would you know to get ready for battle?
9This is how it is when you speak unknown languages. If no one can understand what you are talking about, you will only be talking to the wind. 10There are many different languages in this world, and all of them make sense. 11But if I don't understand the language that someone is using, we will be like foreigners to each other. 12If you really want spiritual gifts, choose the ones that will be most helpful to the church.
13When we speak languages that others don't know, we should pray for the power to explain what we mean. 14For example, if I use an unknown language in my prayers, my spirit prays but my mind is useless. 15Then what should I do? There are times when I should pray with my spirit, and times when I should pray with my mind. Sometimes I should sing with my spirit, and at other times I should sing with my mind.
16Suppose some strangers are in your worship service, when you are praising God with your spirit. If they don't understand you, how will they know to say, “Amen”? 17You may be worshiping God in a wonderful way, but no one else will be helped. 18I thank God that I speak unknown languages more than any of you. 19But words that make sense can help the church. This is why in church I would rather speak five words that make sense than to speak 10,000 words in a language that others don't know.
20My friends, stop thinking like children. Think like mature people and be as innocent as tiny babies. 21#Is 28.11,12. In the Scriptures the Lord says,
“I will use strangers
who speak unknown languages
to talk to my people.
They will speak to them
in foreign languages,
but still my people
won't listen to me.”
22Languages others don't know may mean something to unbelievers, but not to the Lord's followers. Prophecy, on the other hand, is for followers, not for unbelievers. 23Suppose everyone in your worship service started speaking unknown languages, and some outsiders or some unbelievers come in. Won't they think you are crazy? 24But suppose all of you are prophesying when those unbelievers and outsiders come in. They will realize that they are sinners, and they will want to change their ways because of what you are saying. 25They will tell what is hidden in their hearts. Then they will kneel down and say to God, “We are certain that you are with these people.”
Worship Must Be Orderly
26My friends, when you meet to worship, you must do everything for the good of everyone there. That's how it should be when someone sings or teaches or tells what God has said or speaks an unknown language or explains what the language means. 27No more than two or three of you should speak unknown languages during the meeting. You must take turns, and someone should always be there to explain what you mean. 28If no one can explain, you must keep silent in church and speak only to yourself and to God.
29Two or three persons may prophesy, and everyone else must listen carefully. 30If someone sitting there receives a message from God, the speaker must stop and let the other person speak. 31Let only one person speak at a time, then all of you will learn something and be encouraged. 32A prophet should be willing to stop and let someone else speak. 33God wants everything to be done peacefully and in order.
When God's people meet in church, 34the women must not be allowed to speak. They must keep quiet and listen, as the Law of Moses teaches. 35If there is something they want to know, they can ask their husbands when they get home. It is disgraceful for women to speak in church.
36God's message did not start with you people, and you are not the only ones it has reached.
37If you think of yourself as a prophet or a spiritual person, you will know I am writing only what the Lord has commanded. 38So don't pay attention to anyone who ignores what I am writing. 39My friends, be eager to prophesy and don't stop anyone from speaking languages that others don't know. 40But do everything properly and in order.
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