1 Corinthians 14

Prophecy a Superior Gift

11Pursue love, yet 2desire earnestly 3spiritual gifts, but especially that you may 4prophesy. 2For one who 5speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God; for no one 6understands, but 7in his spirit he speaks 8mysteries. 3But one who prophesies speaks to men for 9edification and 10exhortation and consolation. 4One who 11speaks in a tongue 12edifies himself; but one who 13prophesies 14edifies the church. 5Now I wish that you all 15spoke in tongues, but 16even more that you would prophesy; and greater is one who prophesies than one who 17speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may receive 18edifying.

6But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking in tongues, what will I profit you unless I speak to you either by way of 19revelation or of 20knowledge or of 21prophecy or of 22teaching? 7Yet even lifeless things, either flute or harp, in producing a sound, if they do not produce a distinction in the tones, how will it be known what is played on the flute or on the harp? 8For if 23the 24bugle produces an indistinct sound, who will prepare himself for battle? 9So also you, unless you utter by the tongue speech that is clear, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be 25speaking into the air. 10There are, perhaps, a great many kinds of 26languages in the world, and no kind is without meaning. 11If then I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be to the one who speaks a 2728barbarian, and the one who speaks will be a 29barbarian 30to me. 12So also you, since you are zealous of 31spiritual gifts, seek to abound for the 32edification of the church.

13Therefore let 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. 1533What is the outcome then? I will pray with the spirit and I will pray with the mind also; I will 34sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also. 16Otherwise if you bless 35in the spirit only, how will the one who fills the place of the 36ungifted say 37the “Amen” at your 38giving of thanks, since he does not know what you are saying? 17For you are giving thanks well enough, but the other person is not 39edified. 18I thank God, I speak in tongues more than you all; 19however, in the church I desire to speak five words with my mind so that I may instruct others also, rather than ten thousand words in a tongue.

Instruction for the Church

2040Brethren, 41do not be children in your thinking; yet in evil 42be infants, but in your thinking be mature. 21In 43the Law it is written, “44By men of strange 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 those who believe but to unbelievers; but 45prophecy is for a sign, not to unbelievers but to those who believe. 23Therefore if the whole church assembles together and all speak in tongues, and 46ungifted men or unbelievers enter, will they not say that 47you are mad? 24But if all 48prophesy, and an unbeliever or an 49ungifted man enters, he is 50convicted by all, he is called to account by all; 2551the secrets of his heart are disclosed; and so he will 52fall on his face and worship God, 53declaring that God is certainly among you.

2654What is the outcome then, 55brethren? When you assemble, 56each one has a 57psalm, has a 58teaching, has a 59revelation, has a 60tongue, has an 61interpretation. Let 62all things be done for edification. 27If anyone speaks in a 63tongue, it should be by two or at the most three, and each in turn, and one must 64interpret; 28but if there is no interpreter, he must keep silent in the church; and let him speak to himself and to God. 29Let two or three 65prophets speak, and let the others 66pass judgment. 30But if a revelation is made to another who is seated, the first one must keep silent. 31For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all may be exhorted; 32and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets; 33for God is not a God of 67confusion but of 68peace, as in 69all the churches of the 70saints.

34The women are to 71keep silent in the churches; for they are not permitted to speak, but 72are to subject themselves, just as 73the Law also says. 35If they desire to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is 74improper for a woman to speak in church. 3675Was it from you that the word of God first went forth? Or has it come to you only?

3776If anyone thinks he is a prophet or 77spiritual, let him recognize that the things which I write to you 78are the Lord’s commandment. 38But if anyone does not recognize this, he 79is not recognized.

39Therefore, my brethren, 80desire earnestly to 81prophesy, and do not forbid to speak in tongues. 40But 82all things must be done properly and in an orderly manner.