Chapter 14

¹Follow after charity, be zealous for spiritual gifts; but rather that you may prophesy. ²For he that speaketh in a tongue, speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man heareth. Yet by the Spirit he speaketh mysteries. ³But he that prophesieth, speaketh to men unto edification, and exhortation, and comfort. ⁴He that speaketh in a tongue, edifieth himself: but he that prophesieth, edifieth the church. ⁵And I would have you all to speak with tongues, but rather to prophesy. For greater is he that prophesieth, than he that speaketh with tongues: unless perhaps he interpret, that the church may receive edification. ⁶But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, unless I speak to you either in revelation, or in knowledge, or in prophecy, or in doctrine? ⁷Even things without life that give sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction of sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped ? ⁸For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle ? ⁹So likewise you, except you utter by the tongue plain speech, how shall it be known what is said ? For you shall be speaking into the air. ¹⁰There are, for example, so many kinds of tongues in this world; and none is without voice. ¹¹If then I know not the power of the voice, I shall be to him to whom I speak a barbarian; and he that speaketh, a barbarian to me. ¹²So you also, forasmuch as you are zealous of spirits, seek to abound unto the edifying of the church. ¹³And therefore he that speaketh by a tongue, let him pray that he may interpret. ¹⁴For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is without fruit. ¹⁵What is it then ? I will pray with the spirit, I will pray also with the understanding; I will sing with the spirit, I will sing also with the understanding. ¹⁶Else if thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that holdeth the place of the unlearned say, Amen, to thy blessing ? because he knoweth not what thou sayest. ¹⁷For thou indeed givest thanks well, but the other is not edified. ¹⁸I thank my God I speak with all your tongues. ¹⁹But in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may instruct others also; than ten thousand words in a tongue. ²⁰Brethren, do not become children in sense: but in malice be children, and in sense be perfect. ²¹In the law it is written: In other tongues and other lips I will speak to this people; and neither so will they hear me, saith the Lord. ²²Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to believers, but to unbelievers; but prophecies not to unbelievers, but to believers. ²³If therefore the whole church come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in unlearned persons or infidels, will they not say that you are mad ? ²⁴But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or an unlearned person, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all. ²⁵The secrets of his heart are made manifest; and so, falling down on his face, he will adore God, affirming that God is among you indeed. ²⁶How is it then, brethren ? When you come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a revelation, hath a tongue, hath an interpretation: let all things be done to edification. ²⁷If any speak with a tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and in course, and let one interpret. ²⁸But if there be no interpreter, let him hold his peace in the church, and speak to himself and to God. ²⁹And let the prophets speak, two or three; and let the rest judge. ³⁰But if any thing be revealed to another sitting, let the first hold his peace. ³¹For you may all prophesy one by one; that all may learn, and all may be exhorted: ³²And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. ³³For God is not the God of dissension, but of peace: as also I teach in all the churches of the saints. ³⁴Let women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted them to speak, but to be subject, as also the law saith. ³⁵But if they would learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is a shame for a woman to speak in the church. ³⁶Or did the word of God come out from you ? Or came it only unto you ? ³⁷If any seem to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him know the things that I write to you, that they are the commandments of the Lord. ³⁸But if any man know not, he shall not be known. ³⁹Wherefore, brethren, be zealous to prophesy; and forbid not to speak with tongues. ⁴⁰But let all things be done decently, and according to order.