New Testament · 1 Corinthians

1 Corinthians 14

Prophecy and Tongues

1Pursue love^a, yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts^b, but especially that you may prophesy. 2For one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God; for no one understands, but in spirit^c he speaks mysteries. 3But one who prophesies speaks to men for edification and comfort and consolation.^d 4One who speaks in a tongue edifies himself; but one who prophesies edifies the ekklesia.^e

5Now I wish that you all spoke in tongues, but even more that you would prophesy; and greater is one who prophesies than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the ekklesia may receive edification.

6But now, brothers, if I come to you speaking in tongues, what will I profit you unless I speak to you either by way of revelation or of knowledge^f or of prophecy or of teaching? 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 the trumpet 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 speaking into the air.

10There are, perhaps, a great many kinds of languages in the world, and no kind is without meaning. 11If then I do not know the power^g of the language, I will be to the one who speaks a barbarian, and the one who speaks will be a barbarian to me.

12So also you, since you are zealous of spirits^h, seek to abound for the edification of the ekklesia. 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 intellectⁱ is unfruitful.

15What is the outcome then? I will pray with the spirit and I will pray with the intellect also; I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the intellect also. 16Otherwise if you bless in the spirit, how will the one who fills the place of the uninitiated say the "Amen" at your giving of thanks, since he does not know what you are saying? 17For you are giving thanks well enough, but the other person is not edified.

18I give thanks to God, I speak in tongues more than you all; 19however, in the ekklesia I desire to speak five words with my intellect so that I may instruct others also, rather than ten thousand words in a tongue.

20Brothers, do not be children in your thinking; yet in evil be infants, but in your thinking be mature. 21In the law^j it is written: "By 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 prophecy is for a sign, not to unbelievers but to those who believe.

23Therefore if the whole ekklesia assembles together and all speak in tongues, and uninitiated men or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are mad? 24But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an uninitiated man enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all; 25the secrets of his heart^k are disclosed; and so he will fall on his face and worship God, declaring that God is certainly among you.

Orderly Worship

26What is the outcome then, brothers? When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation; let all things be done for edification.

27If anyone speaks in a tongue, it should be by two or at the most three, and each in turn, and one must interpret; 28but if there is no interpreter, he must keep silent in the ekklesia; and let him speak to himself and to God.

29Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others discern.^l 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 confusion but of peace^m, as in all the ekklesias of the holy ones^o.ⁿ

34Your women are to keep silent in the ekklesias; for they are not permitted to speak, but are to subject themselves, just as the law also says. 35If they desire to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is improper for a woman to speak in the ekklesia.

36Was it from you that the word^p of God first went forth? Or has it come to you only? 37If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual^q, let him recognize that the things I write to you are the Lord's commandments. 38But if anyone is ignorant of this, let him be ignorant.

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