1 Corinthians 14:1–40

¹Pursue love, yet keep zealously seeking the spiritual gifts, but preferably that ​YOU​ may prophesy.²For he that speaks in a tongue speaks, not to men, but to God, for no one listens, but he speaks sacred secrets by the spirit.³However, he that prophesies upbuilds and encourages and consoles men by his speech.⁴He that speaks in a tongue upbuilds himself, but he that prophesies upbuilds a congregation.⁵Now I would like for all of ​YOU​ to speak in tongues, but I prefer that ​YOU​ prophesy. Indeed, he that prophesies is greater than he that speaks in tongues, unless, in fact, he translates, that the congregation may receive upbuilding.⁶But at this time, brothers, if I should come speaking to ​YOU​ in tongues, what good would I do ​YOU​ unless I spoke to ​YOU​ either with a revelation or with knowledge or with a prophecy or with a teaching?

⁷As it is, the inanimate things give off sound, whether a flute or a harp; unless it makes an interval to the tones, how will it be known what is being played on the flute or on the harp?⁸For truly, if the trumpet sounds an indistinct call, who will get ready for battle?⁹In the same way also, unless ​YOU​ through the tongue utter speech easily understood, how will it be known what is being spoken? YOU​ will, in fact, be speaking into the air.¹⁰It may be that there are so many kinds of speech sounds in the world, and yet no [kind] is without meaning.¹¹If, then, I do not understand the force of the speech sound, I shall be a foreigner to the one speaking, and the one speaking will be a foreigner to me.¹²So also ​YOU​ yourselves, since ​YOU​ are zealously desirous of [gifts of the] spirit, seek to abound in them for the upbuilding of the congregation.

¹³Therefore let the one who speaks in a tongue pray that he may translate.¹⁴For if I am praying in a tongue, it is my [gift of the] spirit that is praying, but my mind is unfruitful.¹⁵What is to be done, then? I will pray with the [gift of the] spirit, but I will also pray with [my] mind. I will sing praise with the [gift of the] spirit, but I will also sing praise with [my] mind.¹⁶Otherwise, if you offer praise with a [gift of the] spirit, how will the man occupying the seat of the ordinary person say “Amen” to your giving of thanks, since he does not know what you are saying?¹⁷True, you give thanks in a fine way, but the other man is not being built up.¹⁸I thank God, I speak in more tongues than all of ​YOU​ do.¹⁹Nevertheless, in a congregation I would rather speak five words with my mind, that I might also instruct others orally, than ten thousand words in a tongue.

²⁰Brothers, do not become young children in powers of understanding, but be babes as to badness; yet become full‐grown in powers of understanding.²¹In the Law it is written: “‘With the tongues of foreigners and with the lips of strangers I will speak to this people, and yet not even then will they give heed to me,’ says Jehovah.”²²Consequently tongues are for a sign, not to the believers, but to the unbelievers, whereas prophesying is, not for the unbelievers, but for the believers.²³Therefore, if the whole congregation comes together to one place and they all speak in tongues, but ordinary people or unbelievers come in, will they not say that ​YOU​ are mad?²⁴But if ​YOU​ are all prophesying and any unbeliever or ordinary person comes in, he is reproved by them all, he is closely examined by all;²⁵the secrets of his heart become manifest, so that he will fall upon [his] face and worship God, declaring: “God is really among ​YOU.”

²⁶What is to be done, then, brothers? When ​YOU​ come together, one has a psalm, another has a teaching, another has a revelation, another has a tongue, another has an interpretation. Let all things take place for upbuilding.²⁷And if someone speaks in a tongue, let it be limited to two or three at the most, and in turns; and let someone translate.²⁸But if there be no translator, let him keep silent in the congregation and speak to himself and to God.²⁹Further, let two or three prophets speak, and let the others discern the meaning.³⁰But if there is a revelation to another one while sitting there, let the first one keep silent.³¹For ​YOU​ can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all be encouraged.³²And [gifts of] the spirit of the prophets are to be controlled by the prophets.³³For God is [a God], not of disorder, but of peace.

As in all the congregations of the holy ones,³⁴let the women keep silent in the congregations, for it is not permitted for them to speak, but let them be in subjection, even as the Law says.³⁵If, then, they want to learn something, let them question their own husbands at home, for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in a congregation.

³⁶What? Was it from ​YOU​ that the word of God came forth, or was it only as far as ​YOU​ that it reached?

³⁷If anyone thinks he is a prophet or gifted with the spirit, let him acknowledge the things I am writing to ​YOU, because they are the Lord’s commandment.³⁸But if anyone is ignorant, he continues ignorant.³⁹Consequently, my brothers, keep zealously seeking the prophesying, and yet do not forbid the speaking in tongues.⁴⁰But let all things take place decently and by arrangement.