1 Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy. |
2 For anyone who speaks in a tongue1 14:2 Or another language; also in verses 4, 13, 14, 19, 26 and 27 does not speak to men but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries with his spirit.2 14:2 Or by the Spirit |
3 But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort. |
4 He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. |
5 I would like every one of you to speak in tongues,3 14:5 Or other languages; also in verses 6, 18, 22, 23 and 39 but I would rather have you prophesy. He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues,4 14:5 Or other languages; also in verses 6, 18, 22, 23 and 39 unless he interprets, so that the church may be edified. |
6 Now, brothers, if I come to you and speak in tongues, what good will I be to you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or word of instruction? |
7 Even in the case of lifeless things that make sounds, such as the flute or harp, how will anyone know what tune is being played unless there is a distinction in the notes? |
8 Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle? |
9 So it is with you. Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air. |
10 Undoubtedly there are all sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning. |
11 If then I do not grasp the meaning of what someone is saying, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and he is a foreigner to me. |
12 So it is with you. Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in gifts that build up the church. |
13 For this reason anyone who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret what he says. |
14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. |
15 So what shall I do? 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 If you are praising God with your spirit, how can one who finds himself among those who do not understand5 14:16 Or among the inquirers say "Amen" to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying? |
17 You may be giving thanks well enough, but the other man is not edified. |
18 I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. |
19 But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue. |
20 Brothers, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults. |
21 In the Law it is written:
"Through men of strange tongues
and through the lips of foreigners
I will speak to this people,
but even then they will not listen to me,"6 14:21 Isaiah 28:11,12 says the Lord. |
22 Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy, however, is for believers, not for unbelievers. |
23 So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and some who do not understand7 14:23 Or some inquirers or some unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind? |
24 But if an unbeliever or someone who does not understand8 14:24 Or or some inquirer comes in while everybody is prophesying, he will be convinced by all that he is a sinner and will be judged by all, |
25 and the secrets of his heart will be laid bare. So he will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, "God is really among you!" |
26 What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church. |
27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, two--or at the most three--should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret. |
28 If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and God. |
29 Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said. |
30 And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop. |
31 For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged. |
32 The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets. |
33 For God is not a God of disorder but of peace. |
34 As in all the congregations of the saints, women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the Law says. |
35 If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church. |
36 Did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only people it has reached? |
37 If anybody thinks he is a prophet or spiritually gifted, let him acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord's command. |
38 If he ignores this, he himself will be ignored.9 14:38 Some manuscripts If he is ignorant of this, let him be ignorant |
39 Therefore, my brothers, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. |
40 But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way. |
