1 Cor-14

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v1

Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy.

v2

For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit.

v3

On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation.

v4

The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church.

v5

Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up.

v6

Now, brothers, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit you unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching?

v7

If even lifeless instruments, such as the flute or the harp, do not give distinct notes, how will anyone know what is played?

v8

And if the bugle gives an indistinct sound, who will get ready for battle?

v9

So with yourselves, if with your tongue you utter speech that is not intelligible, how will anyone know what is said? For you will be speaking into the air.

v10

There are doubtless many different languages in the world, and none is without meaning,

v11

but if I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be a foreigner to the speaker and the speaker a foreigner to me.

v12

So with yourselves, since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church.

v13

Therefore, one who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret.

v14

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

v15

What am I to do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also; I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind also.

v16

Otherwise, if you give thanks with your spirit, how can anyone in the position of an outsider say “Amen” to your thanksgiving when he does not know what you are saying?

v17

For you may be giving thanks well enough, but the other person is not being built up.

v18

I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you.

v19

Nevertheless, in church I would rather speak five words with my mind in order to instruct others, than ten thousand words in a tongue.

v20

Brothers, do not be children in your thinking. Be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature.

v21

In the Law it is written, “By people of strange tongues and by the lips of foreigners will I speak to this people, and even then they will not listen to me, says the Lord.”

v22

Thus tongues are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers, while prophecy is a sign not for unbelievers but for believers.

v23

If, therefore, the whole church comes together and all speak in tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are out of your minds?

v24

But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all,

v25

the secrets of his heart are disclosed, and so, falling on his face, he will worship God and declare that God is really among you.Orderly Worship

v26

What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up.

v27

If any speak in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in turn, and let someone interpret.

v28

But if there is no one to interpret, let each of them keep silent in church and speak to himself and to God.

v29

Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said.

v30

If a revelation is made to another sitting there, let the first be silent.

v31

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

v32

and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets.

v33

For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints,

v34

the women should keep silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be in submission, as the Law also says.

v35

If there is anything they desire to learn, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church.

v36

Or was it from you that the word of God came? Or are you the only ones it has reached?

v37

If anyone thinks that he is a prophet, or spiritual, he should acknowledge that the things I am writing to you are a command of the Lord.

v38

If anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized.

v39

So, my brothers, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.

v40

But all things should be done decently and in order.


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