1 Follow after love, and earnestly desire spiritual gifts, but
especially that you may prophesy. 2 For he who speaks in another
language speaks not to men, but to God; for no one understands; but in the
Spirit he speaks mysteries. 3 But he who prophesies speaks to men for
their edification, exhortation, and consolation. 4 He who speaks in
another language edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the assembly.
5 Now I desire to have you all speak with other languages, but rather that
you would prophesy. For he is greater who prophesies than he who speaks
with other languages, unless he interprets, that the assembly may be built
up.
6 But now, brothers,*1 if I come to you speaking with other languages, what would I
profit you, unless I speak to you either by way of revelation, or of
knowledge, or of prophesying, or of teaching? 7 Even things without life,
giving a voice, whether pipe or harp, if they didn’t give a distinction in
the sounds, how would it be known what is piped or harped? 8 For if the
trumpet gave an uncertain sound, who would prepare himself for war? 9 So
also you, unless you uttered by the tongue words easy to
understand, how would it be known what is spoken? For you would be
speaking into the air. 10 There are, it may be, so many kinds of sounds in
the world, and none of them is without meaning. 11 If then I don’t know
the meaning of the sound, I would be to him who speaks a foreigner, and he
who speaks would be a foreigner to me. 12 So also you, since you
are zealous for spiritual gifts, seek that you may abound to the
building up of the assembly. 13 Therefore let him who speaks in another
language pray that he may interpret. 14 For if I pray in another language,
my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.
15 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the
understanding also. I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the
understanding also. 16 Otherwise if you bless with the spirit, how will he
who fills the place of the unlearned say the “Amen” at your giving of thanks,
seeing he doesn’t know what you say? 17 For you most assuredly give thanks
well, but the other person is not built up. 18 I thank my God, I speak
with other languages more than you all. 19 However in the assembly I would
rather speak five words with my understanding, that I might instruct others
also, than ten thousand words in another language.
20 Brothers, don’t be children in thoughts, yet in malice be babies,
but in thoughts be mature. 21 In the law it is written, “By men of strange
languages and by the lips of strangers I will speak to this people. Not even
thus will they hear me, says the Lord.” 22 Therefore other languages are
for a sign, not to those who believe, but to the unbelieving; but prophesying
is for a sign, not to the unbelieving, but to those who believe. 23 If
therefore the whole assembly is assembled together and all speak with other
languages, and unlearned or unbelieving people come in, won’t they say that
you are crazy? 24 But if all prophesy, and someone unbelieving or
unlearned comes in, he is reproved by all, and he is judged by all. 25 And
thus the secrets of his heart are revealed. So he will fall down on his face
and worship God, declaring that God is among you indeed.
26 What is it then, brothers? When you come together, each one of you
has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has another language, has an
interpretation. Let all things be done to build each other up. 27 If any
man speaks in another language, let it be two, or at the most three, and in
turn; and let one interpret. 28 But if there is no interpreter, let him
keep silent in the assembly, and let him speak to himself, and to God.
29 Let the prophets speak, two or three, and let the others discern.
30 But if a revelation is made to another sitting by, let the first keep
silent. 31 For you all can prophesy one by one, that all may learn,
and all may be exhorted. 32 The spirits of the prophets are subject to the
prophets, 33 for God is not a God of confusion, but of peace.
As in all the assemblies of the saints, 34 let your wives keep silent in
the assemblies, for it has not been permitted for them to speak; but let them
be in subjection, as the law also says. 35 If they desire to learn
anything, let them ask their own husbands at home, for it is shameful for a
woman to chatter in the assembly. 36 What? Was it from you that the word
of God went out? Or did it come to you alone? 37 If any man thinks himself
to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him recognize the things which I write to
you, that they are the commandment of the Lord. 38 But if anyone is
ignorant, let him be ignorant. 39 Therefore, brothers, desire earnestly to
prophesy, and don’t forbid speaking with other languages. 40 Let all
things be done decently and in order.
1 The word for “brothers” here and where context
allows may also be correctly translated “brothers and sisters” or
“siblings.”
World English Bible - Public Domain |
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