1 Corinthians 14:2-40

2For one who 1speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God; for no one 2understands, but 3in his spirit he speaks 4mysteries. 3But one who prophesies speaks to men for 5edification and 6exhortation and consolation. 4One who 7speaks in a tongue 8edifies himself; but one who 9prophesies 10edifies the church. 5Now I wish that you all 11spoke in tongues, but 12even more that you would prophesy; and greater is one who prophesies than one who 13speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may receive 14edifying.

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 15revelation or of 16knowledge or of 17prophecy or of 18teaching? 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 19the 20bugle 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 21speaking into the air. 10There are, perhaps, a great many kinds of 22languages 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 2324barbarian, and the one who speaks will be a 25barbarian 26to me. 12So also you, since you are zealous of 27spiritual gifts, seek to abound for the 28edification 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. 1529What is the outcome then? I will pray with the spirit and I will pray with the mind also; I will 30sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also. 16Otherwise if you bless 31in the spirit only, how will the one who fills the place of the 32ungifted say 33the “Amen” at your 34giving of thanks, since he does not know what you are saying? 17For you are giving thanks well enough, but the other person is not 35edified. 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.

2036Brethren, 37do not be children in your thinking; yet in evil 38be infants, but in your thinking be mature. 21In 39the Law it is written, “40By 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 41prophecy 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 42ungifted men or unbelievers enter, will they not say that 43you are mad? 24But if all 44prophesy, and an unbeliever or an 45ungifted man enters, he is 46convicted by all, he is called to account by all; 2547the secrets of his heart are disclosed; and so he will 48fall on his face and worship God, 49declaring that God is certainly among you.

2650What is the outcome then, 51brethren? When you assemble, 52each one has a 53psalm, has a 54teaching, has a 55revelation, has a 56tongue, has an 57interpretation. Let 58all things be done for edification. 27If anyone speaks in a 59tongue, it should be by two or at the most three, and each in turn, and one must 60interpret; 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 61prophets speak, and let the others 62pass 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 63confusion but of 64peace, as in 65all the churches of the 66saints.

34The women are to 67keep silent in the churches; for they are not permitted to speak, but 68are to subject themselves, just as 69the Law also says. 35If they desire to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is 70improper for a woman to speak in church. 3671Was it from you that the word of God first went forth? Or has it come to you only?

3772If anyone thinks he is a prophet or 73spiritual, let him recognize that the things which I write to you 74are the Lord’s commandment. 38But if anyone does not recognize this, he 75is not recognized.

39Therefore, my brethren, 76desire earnestly to 77prophesy, and do not forbid to speak in tongues. 40But 78all things must be done properly and in an orderly manner.