Prophecy and Tongues
STRIVE towards love, and be zealous for spiritual gifts, and especially that you may prophesy.
2 For he that speaks in an unknown tongue speaks not to men, but to God: for no man understands him; howbeit in the spirit he speaks mysteries.
3 But he that prophesies speaks to men to edification, and encouragement, and consolation.
4 ¶ He that speaks in an unknown tongue builds up himself; but he that prophesies builds up the Congregation.
5 I wish that you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied: for greater is he that prophesies than he that speaks with tongues, except he interpret, that the Congregation may receive edification.
Tongues Must be Interpreted
6 ¶ But now brothers, if I come to you speaking with tongues, what shall I benefit you, except I speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?
7 Yet lifeless things giving sound, whether pipe or harp, if they do not give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?
8 For if the trumpet gives an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to battle?
9 So likewise you, except you utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for you shall speak into the air.
10 ¶ There are, it may be, so many kinds of languages in the world, and none of them is without signification.
11 Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be to him that speaks a barbarian, and he that speaks shall be a barbarian to me.
12 Even so you, forasmuch as you are zealous for spiritual gifts, seek that you may excel to the edifying of the Congregation.
13 Therefore let him that speaks in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.
14 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.
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.
16 Else when you shall bless with the spirit, how will the unlearned that occupies the room say Amen at your giving of thanks, seeing he does not understand what you say?
17 For you, on the one hand give thanks well, but the other is not built up.
18 ¶ I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than you all:
19 Yet in the Congregation I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.
Tongues a Sign to Unbelievers
20 ¶ Brothers, be not children in understanding: rather in malice be child like; but in understanding be men.
21 In the law it is written: With foreign tongues and in other lips I will speak to this people; and yet for all that, they will not hear me, saith the Lord.
22 Therefore tongues are for a sign, not to those that believe, rather to those that believe not: but prophesying is not for those that do not believe, but for those which believe.
23 ¶ Therefore, if the whole Congregation comes together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that you are out of your mind?
24 But if all prophesy, and there come in one that does not believe, or one unlearned, he is convicted of all, he is called to account by all:
25 And thus are the secrets of his heart made known; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is truly in you.
Order in the Congregation
26 ¶ How is it then, brothers? when you come together, every one of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done to edification.
27 If any man speaks in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that in turn; and let one interpret.
28 But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silent in the Congregation; and let him speak to himself, and to God.
29 ¶ Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.
30 If any thing be revealed to another that sits by, let the first hold his peace.
31 For you may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be encouraged.
32 And the spirits of the prophets are subordinate to the prophets.
33 For God is not the author of turmoil, but of peace, as in all the Congregations of the holy.
34 ¶ Let your women keep silent in the churches: for it is not permitted for them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also the law says.
35 And if they wish to learn anything, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is shameful for women to speak in the Congregation.
36 Or did the Word of God go out from you? Or did it reach you only?
37 If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write to you are the commandments of the Lord.
38 But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.
39 Therefore brothers, be zealous to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.
40 Let all things be done decently and in order.