1 Corinthians 14:1-25
“Follow
the way of LOVE and
eagerly desire gifts of THE SPIRIT, especially prophecy.
2 For anyone who speaks in a tongue
does not speak to people but to GOD. Indeed, no one understands
them; they utter mysteries by THE SPIRIT.
3 But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their
strengthening, encouraging and comfort.
4 Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves, but
the one who prophesies edifies the church.
5 I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would
rather have you prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one
who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be
edified.
6 Now, brothers and sisters, if I
come to you and speak in tongues, what good will I be to you, unless I bring
you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or word of instruction?
7 Even
in the case of lifeless things that make sounds, such as the pipe or harp, how
will anyone know what tune is being played unless there is a distinction in the
notes?
8 Again, if the trumpet does not
sound a clear call, who will get ready 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 Undoubtedly there are all sorts of
languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning.
11 If then I do not grasp the meaning
of what someone is saying, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and the speaker is
a foreigner to me.
12 So it is with you. Since you are
eager for gifts of THE SPIRIT, try to excel in those that build
up the church.
13 For this reason the one who speaks
in a tongue should pray that they may interpret what they say.
14 For if I pray in a tongue, my
spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.
15 So what shall I do? I will pray
with my spirit, but I will also pray with my understanding; I will
sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my understanding.
16 Otherwise when you are praising GOD in THE SPIRIT,
how can someone else, who is now put in the position of an inquirer, say ‘Amen’ to
your thanksgiving, since they do not know what you are saying?
17 You are giving thanks well enough,
but no one else is 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 intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a
tongue.
20 Brothers and sisters, stop
thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your
thinking be adults.
21 In the Law it is written:
‘With other tongues
and through the lips of foreigners
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 not for unbelievers but for believers.
23 So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in
tongues, and inquirers or unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are
out of your mind?
24 But if an unbeliever or an inquirer comes in while everyone is
prophesying, they are convicted of sin and are brought under judgment by all,
25 as the secrets of their hearts are laid bare.
So they will fall down and worship GOD, exclaiming,
‘GOD
is really among you!’”
