Chapter 14

Aim at charity, yet strive after the spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.

For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God; for no one understands, as he is speaking mysteries in his spirit.

But he who prophesies speaks to men for edification, and encouragement, and consolation.

He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.

Now I should like you all to speak in tongues, but still more to prophesy; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks in tongues, unless he can interpret so that the church may receive edification. Tongues Require Interpretation

But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking in tongues what shall I profit you, unless I speak to you either in revelation, or in knowledge, or in prophecy, or in teaching?

Even inanimate instruments, like the flute or the harp, may produce sound, but if there is no difference in the notes, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?

If the trumpet give forth an uncertain sound, who will prepare for battle?

So likewise you---unless with the tongue you utter intelligible speech---how shall it be known what is said? For you will be speaking to the empty air.

There are, for example, so many kinds of languages in this world and none without a meaning.

If, then, I do not know the meaning of the language, I shall be to the one to whom I speak, a foreigner; and he who speaks, a foreigner to me.

So also you, since you strive after spiritual gifts, seek to have them abundantly for the edification of the church.

Therefore let him who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret.

For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.

What, then, is to be done? I will pray with the spirit, but I will pray with the understanding also; I will sing with the spirit, but I will sing with the understanding also.

Else if thou givest praise with the spirit alone, how shall he who fills the place of the uninstructed say "Amen" to thy thanksgiving? For he does not know what thou sayest.

For thou, indeed, givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.

I thank God I speak with all your tongues;

yet in the church, I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may also instruct others, than ten thousand words in a tongue. Function of These Gifts

Brethren, do not become children in mind, but in malice be children and in mind mature.

In the Law it is written that "In other tongues and with other lips I will speak to this people, And not even so will they listen to me, says the Lord."

Wherefore tongues are intended as a sign, not to believers, but to unbelievers; whereas prophecies, not to unbelievers, but to believers.

Therefore, if the whole church be assembled together and, while all are speaking with tongues, there should come in uninstructed persons or unbelievers, will they not say that you are mad?

Whereas, if while all are prophesying, there should come in an unbeliever or uninstructed person, he is convicted by all, he is put on trial by all;

the secrets of his heart are made manifest, and so, falling on his face, he will worship God, declaring that God is truly among you. Practical Directions

What then is to be done, brethren? When you come together each of you has a hymn, has an instruction, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edification.

If anyone speaks in a tongue, let it be by twos or at most threes, and let them speak in turn, and let one interpret.

But if there is no interpreter let him keep silence in the church, and speak to himself and to God.

Of the prophets, let two or three speak at a meeting, and let the rest act as judges.

But if anything is revealed to another sitting by, let the first keep silence.

For you all can prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all may be encouraged.

For the spirits of the prophets are under the control of the prophets.

For God is a God of peace, not of disorder. Order Necessary Thus I likewise teach in all the churches of the saints.

Let women keep silence in the churches, for it is not permitted them to speak, but let them be submissive, as the Law also says.

But if they wish to learn anything let them ask their husbands at home, for it is unseemly for a woman to speak in church.

What, was it from you that the word of God went forth? Or was it unto you only that it reached?

If anyone thinks that he is a prophet or spiritual, let him recognize that the things I am writing to you are the Lord's commandments.

If anyone ignores this, he shall be ignored.

So then, brethren, desire earnestly the gift of prophesying and do not hinder the gift of speaking in tongues.

Only let all things be done properly and in order.