1 Corinthians 14
Speaking in
Tongues |
1 |
Follow after charity, and desire
spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.
|
2 |
For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.
|
3 |
But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.
|
4 |
He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the
church.
|
5 |
I would that ye all spake with tongues,
but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that
prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret,
that the church may receive edifying.
|
6 |
Now, brethren, if I come unto you
speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak
to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or
by doctrine?
|
7 |
And even things without life giving
sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the
sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?
|
8 |
For if the trumpet give an uncertain
sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?
|
9 |
So likewise ye, except ye utter by the
tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is
spoken? for ye shall speak into the air.
|
10 |
There are, it may be, so many kinds of
voices in the world, and none of them is without
signification.
|
11 |
Therefore if I know not the meaning of
the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he
that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me.
|
12 |
Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous
of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of
the church.
|
13 |
Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.
|
14 |
For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, 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 thou shalt bless with the
spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say
Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou
sayest?
|
17 |
For thou verily givest thanks well, but
the other is not edified.
|
18 |
I thank my God, I speak with tongues more
than ye all:
|
19 |
yet in the church I had rather speak five
words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach
others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.
|
20 |
Brethren, be not children in
understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in
understanding be men.
|
21 |
In the law it is written,
|
With men of other tongues and other
lips |
will I speak unto this people; |
and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith
the Lord. Is.
28.11, 12 |
|
|
22 |
Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to
them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which
believe.
|
23 |
If therefore the whole church be come
together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come
in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not
say that ye are mad?
|
24 |
But if all prophesy, and there come in
one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of
all, he is judged of all:
|
25 |
and thus are the secrets of his heart
made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will
worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.
|
26 |
How is it then, brethren? when ye come
together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a
tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be
done unto edifying.
|
27 |
If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.
|
28 |
But if there be no interpreter, let him
keep silence in the church; 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 sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.
|
31 |
For ye may all prophesy one by one, that
all may learn, and all may be comforted.
|
32 |
And the spirits of the prophets are
subject to the prophets.
|
33 |
For God is not the author of
confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
|
34 |
Let your women keep silence in the
churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they
are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the
law.
|
35 |
And if they will learn any thing, let
them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to
speak in the church.
|
36 |
What! came the word of God out from you?
or came it unto you only?
|
37 |
If any man think himself to be a
prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I
write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.
|
38 |
But if any man be ignorant, let him be
ignorant.
|
39 |
Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy,
and forbid not to speak with tongues.
|
40 |
Let all things be done decently and in
order.
|