1 Corinthians 14
1 Pursue love and eagerly seek spiritual gifts, but even more, that you may prophesy.
2 For the one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to people but to God; no one understands, since by the Spirit he speaks mysteries.
3 But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouragement, and comfort.
4 The one who speaks in a tongue strengthens himself, but the one who prophesies strengthens the church.
5 I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more, to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may be strengthened.
6 Now, brothers and sisters, if I come to you speaking in tongues, what good will I do you unless I speak to you through revelation, knowledge, prophecy, or teaching?
7 Even lifeless instruments that make sounds, whether a flute or a harp, must give distinct notes. Otherwise, how will anyone know what is being played on the flute or harp?
8 And if a trumpet gives an unclear call, who will prepare for battle?
9 So it is with you: unless you speak a clear word with your tongue, how will anyone know what is being said? You will be speaking into the air.
10 There are, perhaps, many kinds of sounds in the world, and none is without meaning.
11 If, then, I do not know the meaning of a sound, I will be a foreigner to the speaker, and the speaker will be a foreigner to me.
12 So it is with you: since you are eager for spiritual gifts, seek to excel in what builds up the church.
13 Therefore, the one who speaks in a tongue should pray to be able to interpret.
14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.
15 What should I do, then? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind.
16 Otherwise, if you give thanks with your spirit, how can someone in the place of an outsider say “Amen” to your thanksgiving, since that person does not know what you are saying?
17 You may indeed give thanks very well, but the other person is not strengthened.
18 I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you.
19 But in the church, I would rather speak five words with my mind, to instruct others as well, than ten thousand words in a tongue.
20 Brothers and sisters, do not be children in your thinking. Be infants in regard to evil, but mature in your thinking.
21 It is written in the Law: “By people speaking other languages and by the lips of strangers I will speak to this people, and even then they will not listen to me, says the Lord.”
22 So tongues are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy, however, is not for unbelievers but for believers.
23 If, then, the whole church gathers in one place and everyone speaks in tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your minds?
24 But if everyone prophesies and an unbeliever or outsider comes in, that person is convicted by everyone and examined by everyone.
25 The secrets of that person's heart are laid bare. Then, falling facedown, that person will worship God and declare, “God is truly among you.”
26 What should you do, then, brothers and sisters? When you gather, each one has a psalm, a teaching, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let everything be done to build up the church.
27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, let it be two or at most three, one at a time, and let one interpret.
28 But if there is no interpreter, let that person remain silent in the church and speak to himself and to God.
29 Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said.
30 But if something is revealed to another person who is sitting down, the first speaker should be silent.
31 For you can all prophesy one by one, so that everyone may learn and everyone may be encouraged.
32 The spirits of prophets are subject to prophets.
33 For God is not a God of disorder but of peace. This is so in all the churches of the saints.
34 Women should remain silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak. Rather, they should be submissive, as the Law also says.
35 If they want to learn anything, they should ask their own husbands at home, for it is shameful for a woman to speak in church.
36 Did the word of God come from you? Or did it reach only you?
37 If anyone thinks they are a prophet or spiritual, let them recognize that what I am writing to you is a command from the Lord.
38 But if anyone does not recognize this, that person is not recognized.
39 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, eagerly seek to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.
40 But let everything be done decently and in order.
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