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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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 would rather you prophesied. 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?
9That's 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 worshipping 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. That's why in church I had rather speak five words that make sense than to speak ten thousand 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. 21In the Scriptures the Lord says,#Is 28.11,12.
“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 that 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 mad? 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 that 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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