1 Corinthians

¹ Follow after charity, be zealous for spiritual gifts; but rather that you may prophesy.

² For he that speaketh in a tongue, speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man heareth. Yet by the Spirit he speaketh mysteries.

³ But he that prophesieth, speaketh to men unto edification, and exhortation, and comfort.

⁴ He that speaketh in a tongue, edifieth himself: but he that prophesieth, edifieth the church.

⁵ And I would have you all to speak with tongues, but rather to prophesy. For greater is he that prophesieth, than he that speaketh with tongues: unless perhaps he interpret, that the church may receive edification.

⁶ But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, unless I speak to you either in revelation, or in knowledge, or in prophecy, or in doctrine?

⁷ Even things without life that give sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction of 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 you, except you utter by the tongue plain speech, how shall it be known what is said? For you shall be speaking into the air.

¹⁰ There are, for example, so many kinds of tongues in this world; and none is without voice.

¹¹ If then I know not the power of the voice, I shall be to him to whom I speak a barbarian; and he that speaketh, a barbarian to me.

¹² So you also, forasmuch as you are zealous of spirits, seek to abound unto the edifying of the church.

¹³ And therefore he that speaketh by a tongue, let him pray that he may interpret.

¹⁴ For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is without fruit.

¹⁵ What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, I will pray also with the understanding; I will sing with the spirit, I will sing also with the understanding.

¹⁶ Else if thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that holdeth the place of the unlearned say, Amen, to thy blessing? because he knoweth not what thou sayest.

¹⁷ For thou indeed givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.

¹⁸ I thank my God I speak with all your tongues.

¹⁹ But in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may instruct others also; than ten thousand words in a tongue.

²⁰ Brethren, do not become children in sense: but in malice be children, and in sense be perfect.

²¹ In the law it is written: In other tongues and other lips I will speak to this people; and neither so will they hear me, saith the Lord.

²² Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to believers, but to unbelievers; but prophecies not to unbelievers, but to believers.

²³ If therefore the whole church come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in unlearned persons or infidels, will they not say that you are mad?

²⁴ But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or an unlearned person, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all.

²⁵ The secrets of his heart are made manifest; and so, falling down on his face, he will adore God, affirming that God is among you indeed.

²⁶ How is it then, brethren? When you come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a revelation, hath a tongue, hath an interpretation: let all things be done to edification.

²⁷ If any speak with a tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and in course, and let one interpret.

²⁸ But if there be no interpreter, let him hold his peace in the church, and speak to himself and to God.

²⁹ And let the prophets speak, two or three; and let the rest judge.

³⁰ But if any thing be revealed to another sitting, let the first hold his peace.

³¹ For you may all prophesy one by one; that all may learn, and all may be exhorted:

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

³³ For God is not the God of dissension, but of peace: as also I teach in all the churches of the saints.

³⁴ Let women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted them to speak, but to be subject, as also the law saith.

³⁵ But if they would learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is a shame for a woman to speak in the church.

³⁶ Or did the word of God come out from you? Or came it only unto you?

³⁷ If any seem to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him know the things that I write to you, that they are the commandments of the Lord.

³⁸ But if any man know not, he shall not be known.

³⁹ Wherefore, brethren, be zealous to prophesy; and forbid not to speak with tongues.

⁴⁰ But let all things be done decently, and according to order.