Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians, Chapter 14
{14:1} Follow after love, and earnestly desire spiritual gifts, but
especially that you may prophesy. {14:2} For he who speaks in another
language speaks not to men, but to God; for no one understands; but in
the Spirit he speaks mysteries. {14:3} But he who prophesies speaks to
men for their edification, exhortation, and consolation. {14:4} He who
speaks in another language edifies himself, but he who prophesies
edifies the assembly. {14:5} Now I desire to have you all speak with
other languages, but rather that you would prophesy. For he is greater
who prophesies than he who speaks with other languages, unless he
interprets, that the assembly may be built up.
{14:6} But now, [1>]brothers,[<1] if I come to you speaking with
other languages, what would I profit you, unless I speak to you either
by way of revelation, or of knowledge, or of prophesying, or of
teaching? {14:7} Even things without life, giving a voice, whether
pipe or harp, if they didn't give a distinction in the sounds, how
would it be known what is piped or harped? {14:8} For if the
[2>]shofar[<2] gave an uncertain sound, who would prepare himself for
war? {14:9} So also you, unless you uttered by the tongue words easy
to understand, how would it be known what is spoken? For you would be
speaking into the air. {14:10} There are, it may be, so many kinds of
sounds in the world, and none of them is without meaning. {14:11} If
then I don't know the meaning of the sound, I would be to him who
speaks a foreigner, and he who speaks would be a foreigner to me.
{14:12} So also you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, seek
that you may abound to the building up of the assembly. {14:13}
Therefore let him who speaks in another language pray that he may
interpret. {14:14} For if I pray in another language, my spirit prays,
but my understanding is unfruitful.
{14:15} What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will
pray with the understanding also. I will sing with the spirit, and I
will sing with the understanding also. {14:16} Otherwise if you bless
with the spirit, how will he who fills the place of the unlearned say
the "Amen" at your giving of thanks, seeing he doesn't know what you
say? {14:17} For you most certainly give thanks well, but the other
person is not built up. {14:18} I thank my God, I speak with other
languages more than you all. {14:19} However in the assembly I would
rather speak five words with my understanding, that I might instruct
others also, than ten thousand words in another language.
{14:20} Brothers, don't be children in thoughts, yet in malice be
babies, but in thoughts be mature. {14:21} In the law it is written,
"By men of strange languages and by the lips of strangers I will speak
to this people. Not even thus will they hear me, says the Lord."[3]
{14:22} Therefore other languages are for a sign, not to those who
believe, but to the unbelieving; but prophesying is for a sign, not to
the unbelieving, but to those who believe. {14:23} If therefore the
whole assembly is assembled together and all speak with other
languages, and unlearned or unbelieving people come in, won't they say
that you are crazy? {14:24} But if all prophesy, and someone
unbelieving or unlearned comes in, he is reproved by all, and he is
judged by all. {14:25} And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed.
So he will fall down on his face and worship God, declaring that God
is among you indeed.
{14:26} What is it then, brothers? When you come together, each one
of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has another
language, has an interpretation. Let all things be done to build each
other up. {14:27} If any man speaks in another language, let it be
two, or at the most three, and in turn; and let one interpret. {14:28}
But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in the assembly,
and let him speak to himself, and to God. {14:29} Let the prophets
speak, two or three, and let the others discern. {14:30} But if a
revelation is made to another sitting by, let the first keep silent.
{14:31} For you all can prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and
all may be exhorted. {14:32} The spirits of the prophets are subject
to the prophets, {14:33} for God is not a God of confusion, but of
peace.
As in all the assemblies of the holy ones, {14:34} let your wives
keep silent in the assemblies, for it has not been permitted for them
to speak; but let them be in subjection, as the Torah also says.
{14:35} If they desire to learn anything, let them ask their own
husbands at home, for it is shameful for a woman to chatter in the
assembly. {14:36} What? Was it from you that the word of God went out?
Or did it come to you alone? {14:37} If any man thinks himself to be a
prophet, or spiritual, let him recognize the things which I write to
you, that they are the commandment of the Lord. {14:38} But if anyone
is ignorant, let him be ignorant. {14:39} Therefore, brothers, desire
earnestly to prophesy, and don't forbid speaking with other languages.
{14:40} Let all things be done decently and in order.
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Footnotes:
[1] {14:6} The word for "brothers" here and where context allows may
also be correctly translated "brothers and sisters" or "siblings."
[2] {14:8} or, trumpet
[3] {14:21} Isaiah 28:11-12
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