RKJNT - I Corinthians - 14

14:1  Follow after love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.

14:2  For he who speaks in an unknown tongue does not speak to men, but to God: for no man understands him; yet in the spirit he speaks mysteries.

14:3  But he who prophesies speaks to men for their edification, and exhortation, and comfort.

14:4  He who speaks in an unknown tongue edifies himself; but he who prophesies edifies the church.

14:5  I would like for you all to speak in tongues, but even more that you would prophesy: for greater is he who prophesies than he who speaks with tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may be edified.

14:6  Now, brethren, if I come to you speaking with tongues, how will I benefit you, unless I shall speak to you some revelation, or knowledge, or prophesy, or instruction?

14:7  Even lifeless things which give sound, such as the pipe or harp, unless they make a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is played?

14:8  For if the trumpet gives an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself for the battle?

14:9  So likewise you, unless you utter by the tongue words that are easy to understand, how shall it be known what is spoken? for you shall speak into the air.

14:10  There are, it may be, many kinds of languages in the world, and none of them is without meaning.

14:11  But if I do not know the meaning of the language, I shall be to him who speaks a foreigner, and he who speaks shall be a foreigner to me.

14:12  So with you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, seek to excel in edifying the church.

14:13  Therefore, let him who speaks in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.

14:14  For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.

14:15  What am I to do? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the mind also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the mind also.

14:16  Otherwise when you bless with the spirit, how shall he who is ungifted say Amen to your giving of thanks, seeing that he does not understand what you say?

14:17  For you may truly give thanks well, but the other man is not edified.

14:18  I thank my God, that I speak with tongues more than all of you:

14:19  Yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.

14:20  Brethren, do not be children in understanding: in evil be infants, but in understanding be men.

14:21  In the law it is written, By men of strange tongues and by the lips of foreigners I will speak to this people; and yet for all that they will not hear me, says the Lord.

14:22  Therefore tongues are a sign, not for those who believe, but for those who do not believe: but prophesy is not only for those who do not believe, but also for those who do believe.

14:23  Therefore, if the whole church comes together in one place, and all speak in tongues, and those who are ungifted, or unbelievers, come in, will they not say that you are mad?

14:24  But if all prophesy, and one comes in who does not believe, or is ungifted, he is convicted by all, he is judged by all:

14:25  The secrets of his heart are disclosed; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is really among you.

14:26  What then, brethren? when you come together, every one of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.

14:27  If anyone speaks in an unknown tongue, let there be two, or at the most three, and each in turn; and let one interpret.

14:28  But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.

14:29  Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge.

14:30  If anything is revealed to another who sits by, let the first hold his peace.

14:31  For you may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be encouraged.

14:32  And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.

14:33  For God is not a God of confusion, but of peace. As in all churches of the saints,

14:34  Let the women keep silent in the churches: for it is not permitted for them to speak; but they should be subordinate, as the law says.

14:35  And if they wish to learn anything, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a disgrace for women to speak in the church.

14:36  What? did the word of God come forth from you? or has it come only to you?

14:37  If any man thinks he is a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that what I write to you is a commandment of the Lord.

14:38  But if any man does not recognize this, he is not recognized.

14:39  Therefore, brethren, desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.

14:40  But let all things be done decently and in order.