Prophecy and Tongues

¹ Earnestly pursue love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy. ² 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. ³ But he who prophesies speaks to men for their edification, encouragement, and comfort. ⁴ The one who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but the one who prophesies edifies the church.

⁵ 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.

⁶ 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? ⁷ 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? ⁸ Again, if the trumpet sounds a muffled call, who will prepare for battle? ⁹ 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.

¹⁰ Assuredly, there are many different languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning. ¹¹ 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.

¹² It is the same with you. Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, strive to excel in gifts that build up the church. ¹³ Therefore, the one who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret. ¹⁴ For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.

¹⁵ 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. ¹⁶ 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? ¹⁷ You may be giving thanks well enough, but the other one is not edified.

¹⁸ I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. ¹⁹ But in the church, I would rather speak five coherent words^* to instruct others than ten thousand words^* in a tongue.

²⁰ Brothers, stop thinking like children.^* In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be mature. ²¹ 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.”

²² Tongues, then, are a sign,^* not for believers, but for unbelievers. Prophecy, however, is for believers, not for unbelievers.

²³ 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? ²⁴ But if an unbeliever or uninstructed person comes in while everyone is prophesying, he will be convicted and called to account by all, ²⁵ and the secrets of his heart will be made known. So he will fall facedown and worship God, proclaiming, “God is truly among you!”

Orderly Worship

²⁶ 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.

²⁷ If anyone speaks in a tongue, two, or at most three, should speak in turn,^* and someone must interpret. ²⁸ But if there is no interpreter, he should remain silent in the church and speak only to himself and God.

²⁹ Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said. ³⁰ And if a revelation comes to someone who is seated, the first speaker should stop. ³¹ For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged. ³² The spirits of prophets are subject to prophets. ³³ For God is not a God of disorder, but of peace— as in all the churches of the saints.

³⁴ Women are to be silent in the churches. They are not permitted to speak, but must be in submission,^* as the law says. ³⁵ 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.

³⁶ Did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only ones it has reached? ³⁷ If anyone considers himself a prophet or spiritual person, let him acknowledge that what I am writing you is the Lord’s command. ³⁸ But if anyone ignores this,^* he himself will be ignored.^*

³⁹ So, my brothers, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. ⁴⁰ But everything must be done in a proper and orderly manner.