1 Corinthians 14

1 Labour after charity, and be desirous of spiritual but especially that ye may prophesy. 2 For he, that speaketh in an tongue, speaketh not to men, but to God: for no one understandeth, though in spirit he speaketh mysteries. 3 But he, that prophesieth, speaketh edification, and exhortation, and comfort to men. 4 He, that speaketh in an tongue, edifieth himself: but he, that prophesieth, edifieth the church. 5 I wish that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edification. 6 Now, brethren, if I come to you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, unless I speak to you of revelation, or knowledge, or prophecy, or doctrine? 7 As inanimate 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? 8 For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who will prepare himself for the battle? 9 So also unless ye utter by the tongue intelligible words, how shall what is spoken be understood? for ye will be talking to the wind. 10 There are, it may be, as many kinds of voices in the world and none of them insignificant. 11 But if I know not the force of the words, I shall be to him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh a barbarian to me. 12 So ye also, since ye are desirous of spiritual gifts, seek to abound to the edification of the church. 13 Wherefore let him, that speaketh in an tongue, pray that he may interpret. 14 For if I pray in an tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my meaning is fruitless. 15 What is then 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. 16 For if thou bless in the spirit, how shall the unlearned say Amen to thy thanksgiving, when he knoweth not what thou sayst? 17 thou indeed givest thanks well, but the other is not edified. 18 I thank God, I speak with tongues more than you all. 19 But in a assembly I had rather speak five words to be understood, that I may instruct others also, than ten thousand words in an tongue. 20 brethren, be not children in sense: but in malice be infants, and in judgements be 21 It 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." 22 So that tongues are for a sign, not to believers but to unbelievers: but prophecy not to unbelievers but to those that believe. 23 If then the whole church be come together and all speak in tongues, and there come in illiterate or infidels, will they not say that ye are mad? 24 But if all prophesy, and there come in an unbeliever, or unlearned, he is convinced by all, he is judged by all. 25 And thus the secrets of his heart are made manifest; so that falling down upon face he will worship God, declaring that God is indeed among you. 26 What is then brethren? when ye come together, any of you hath a psalm, a doctrine, a tongue, a revelation, an interpretation,—let all be done for edification. 27 And if any speak in an tongue, by two, or at most three, and by turns; and let one interpret. 28 But if there be no interpreter, let him be silent in the assembly; and let him speak to himself and to God. 29 And let two or three prophets speak, and the others judge. 30 And if any thing be revealed to another sitting by, let the first have done speaking 31 For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted. 32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets: 33 for God is not of confusion, but of peace, in all the assemblies of the saints. 34 Let your women be silent in assemblies: for it is not permitted to them to speak, but to be in subjection, as the law saith. 35 And if they would learn any let them ask their own husbands at home; for it does not become women to speak in a assembly. 36 Did the word of God come out from you? or did it come to you only? 37 If 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. 38 But if any be ignorant, let him be ignorant. 39 Wherefore, brethren, be desirous to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues: 40 let all things be done decently and in order.