CHAPTER 14
For
he who
speaks
in a tongue
does not speak
to men,
but
to God.
Indeed,
no one
understands him;
he utters
mysteries
in the Spirit.
I wish that
all
of you
could speak
in tongues,
but
I would rather
have
you prophesy.
He who
prophesies
is greater
than
one who
speaks
in tongues,
unless
he interprets,
so that
the
church
may be
edified.
Now,
brothers,
if
I come
to
you
speaking
in tongues,
how
will I benefit
you,
unless
I bring
you
some revelation
or
knowledge
or
prophecy
or
teaching?
Even in the case of
lifeless
instruments,
such as
the flute
or
harp,
how
will anyone recognize
the tune
they are playing
unless
the
notes
are distinct?
So
it is
with you.
Unless
you speak
intelligible
words
with
your
tongue,
how
will anyone know
what
you are saying?
You will just be
speaking
into
the air.
If,
then,
I do not know
the
meaning
of someone’s
language,
I am
a foreigner
to the
speaker,
and
he is
a foreigner
to
me.
It is the same
with you.
Since
you are
eager to have
spiritual gifts,
strive
to
excel
in gifts that
build up
the
church.
What
then
shall I do?
I will pray
with my
spirit,
but
I will also pray
with my
mind.
I will sing
with my
spirit,
but
I will also sing
with my
mind.
Otherwise,
if
you speak a blessing
in
spirit,
how
can someone
who is uninstructed
say
“Amen”
to
your
thanksgiving,
since
he does not know
what
you are saying?
But
in
the church,
I would rather
speak
five
coherent
words
to
instruct
others
than
ten thousand
words
in
a tongue.
Brothers,
stop
thinking
like children.
In regard to
evil
be infants,
but
in your
thinking
be
mature.
It is written
in
the
Law:
“By
strange tongues
and
foreign
lips
I will speak
to this
people,
but
even
then
they will not listen to
Me,
says
the Lord.”
Tongues,
then,
are
a sign,
not
for
believers,
but
for
unbelievers.
Prophecy,
however,
is for
believers,
not
for
unbelievers.
So
if
the
whole
church
comes
together
and
everyone
speaks
in tongues,
and
some who are uninstructed
or
some unbelievers
come in,
will they not say
that
you are out of your minds?
But
if
an
unbeliever
or
uninstructed person
comes in
while
everyone
is prophesying,
he will be convicted
and called to account
by
all,
and the
secrets
of
his
heart
will be
revealed.
So
he will fall
facedown
and worship
God,
proclaiming,
“God
is
truly
among
you!”
What
then
shall we say,
brothers?
When
you come together,
everyone
has
a psalm
or
a teaching,
a revelation,
a tongue,
or
an interpretation.
All of these
must be done
to
build up the church .
If
anyone
speaks
in a tongue,
two,
or
at
most
three,
should speak
in
turn,
and
someone
must interpret.
But
if
there is
no
interpreter,
he should remain silent
in
the church
and
speak only
to himself
and
God.
women
are to be silent
in
the
churches.
They
are not permitted
to speak,
but
must be in submission,
as
the
Law
says.
If
they wish
to inquire about
something,
they are to ask
their
own
husbands
at
home;
for
it is
dishonorable
for a woman
to speak
in
the church.
If
anyone
considers
himself
a prophet
or
spiritual person,
let him acknowledge
that
what
I am writing
you
is
the Lord’s
command.