Prophecy and Tongues

1Labour after charity, and be desirous of spiritual gifts: but especially that ye may prophesy. 2For he, that speaketh in an unknown tongue, speaketh not to men, but to God: for no one understandeth, though in spirit he speaketh mysteries. 3But he, that prophesieth, speaketh edification, and exhortation, and comfort to men. 4He, that speaketh in an unknown tongue, edifieth himself: but he, that prophesieth, edifieth the church. 5I could wish 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 edification.

6Now, my brethren, if I come to you speaking with many tongues, what shall I profit you, unless I speak intelligibly to you of revelation, or knowledge, or prophecy, or doctrine? 7As inanimate things which give a found, whether pipe or harp, unless they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall what is piped or harped be understood? 8For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who will prepare himself for the battle? 9So also unless ye utter by the tongue intelligible words, how shall what is spoken be understood? for thus ye will be only talking to the wind. 10There are, it may be, as many kinds of voices in the world as people, and none of them insignificant. 11But if I know not the force of the words, I shall be to him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh will be a barbarian to me. 12So ye also, since ye are so desirous of spiritual gifts, seek to abound in them to the edification of the church.

13Wherefore let him, that speaketh in an unknown tongue, pray that he may interpret. 14For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit indeed prayeth, but my meaning is fruitless. 15What is then to be done? I will pray with the Spirit, but I will pray to be understood: I will sing with the spirit, but I will sing to be understood. 16For if thou bless in the spirit, how shall the unlearned say Amen to thy thanksgiving, when he knoweth not what thou sayst? 17thou indeed givest thanks well, but the other is not edified. 18I thank God, I speak with tongues more than you all. 19But in a public assembly I had rather speak five words to be understood, that I may instruct others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.

20My brethren, be not children in sense: but in malice be infants, and in your judgements shew yourselves to be men. 21It is written in the law, "By men of another language, and by other lips, will I speak to this people, and even so they will not listen to me, saith the Lord." 22So that tongues are for a sign, not to believers but to unbelievers: but prophecy not to unbelievers but to those that believe. 23If then the whole church be come together and all speak in unknown tongues, and there come in illiterate persons, or infidels, will they not say that ye are mad? 24But if all prophesy, and there come in an unbeliever, or one unlearned, he is convinced by all, he is judged by all. 25And thus the secrets of his heart are made manifest; so that falling down upon his face he will worship God, declaring that God is indeed among you.

Orderly Worship

26What is then to be done, my brethren? when ye come together, if any of you hath a psalm, a doctrine, a tongue, a revelation, an interpretation,---let all be done for edification. 27And if any one speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at most by three, and that by turns; and let one interpret. 28But if there be no interpreter, let him be silent in the assembly; and let him speak to himself and to God. 29And let but two or three of the prophets speak, and the others judge. 30And if any thing be revealed to another sitting by, let the first have done speaking before the other begins. 31For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted. 32And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets: 33for God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as we see in all the assemblies of the saints.

34Let your women be silent in your assemblies: for it is not permitted to them to speak, but they are to be in subjection, as the law saith. 35And if they would learn any thing, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it does not become women to speak in a public assembly. 36Did the word of God come out first from you? or did it come to you only?

37If any one seem to be a prophet, or acted by the Spirit, let him acknowlege that what I write to you are the commandments of the Lord. 38But if any will be ignorant, let him be ignorant.

39Wherefore, my brethren, be most desirous to prophesy, and yet forbid not to speak with tongues: 40but let all things be done decently and in order.