FOLLOW earnestly after love, and zealously seek spiritual gifts, but
rather that ye may prophesy. (2)For he that speaketh in an unknown
tongue, speaketh not to men, but to God: for no man understandeth him;
although in spirit he speaketh mysterious truths. (3)But he that
prophesieth, addresseth men for edification, and exhortation, and
consolation. (4)He that speaketh in an unknown tongue, edifieth
himself; but he that prophesieth, edifieth the church. (5)Now I could
wish that you all spake with tongues, but rather that ye should
prophesy: for greater is he that prophesieth, than he that speaketh
with tongues, except he interpret also, that the church may receive
edification. (6)Now I, brethren, if I should come unto you, speaking in
unknown languages, what should I profit you, unless I should speak to
you _intelligibly_ by revelation, or by science, or by prophecy, or by
doctrine? (7)In like manner things inanimate, giving sound, whether the
pipe, or the harp, unless they express a distinction in their tones,
how shall it be known what is piped, or what is harped? (8)For if the
trumpet also give an uncertain sound, who will prepare himself for the
battle? (9)So also ye, unless with the tongue you speak an intelligible
discourse, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye will speak to
the air. (10)For though there are so many different kinds of languages
in the world, yet is not one of them without its meaning. (11)If
therefore I know not the force of the expression, I shall be to him
that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh will be a barbarian
unto me. (12)So also ye, if ye zealously affect spiritual gifts, seek
that ye may abound in them for the edification of the church.
(13)Therefore let him who speaketh in an unknown tongue, pray that he
may interpret also. (14)For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit
prayeth, but my mind produces no fruit. (15)What then is my object? I
will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also:
I will sing psalms with the spirit, and I will sing psalms with the
understanding also. (16)Else, though thou bless God in spirit, how
shall he who filleth the place of an illiterate man, say Amen after thy
thanksgiving, seeing he knoweth not what thou sayest? (17)For thou
indeed givest thanks to God well, but another man is not edified by it.
(18)I thank my God, that I speak with different tongues more than you
all: (19)but in the church I had rather speak five words with my
understanding, that I may instruct others also, than ten thousand words
in an unknown tongue.
(20)Brethren, be not children in your minds: though in naughtiness be
ye children, but in your minds be men complete. (21)In the law it is
written, "That with other tongues, and with other lips, will I speak to
this people: and even thus will they not attend to me, saith the
Lord[99]." (22)Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to those that
believe, but to those who do not believe: but the gift of prophecy is
not for those who are infidels, but for believers. (23)If then the
whole church assemble together in the same place, and all speak
different tongues, and there come in illiterate persons, or infidels,
will they not say ye are mad? (24)But if all prophesy, and any infidel
or illiterate person come in, he receives conviction from all, he is
judged of all: (25)and thus the secrets of his heart are made manifest;
and so falling down on his face, he will worship God, declaring that
God verily is among you.
(26)How comes it then, brethren, that when ye assemble together, every
one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a
revelation, hath an interpretation? Let all things be done to
edification. (27)If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by
two, or at most by three, and one after another; and let one interpret.
(28)But if there be not an interpreter, let him be silent in the
church; but let him speak to himself and to God. (29)Let the prophets
two or three speak, and let the others judge. (30)But if any thing
should be revealed to one sitting by, let the first be silent. (31)For
ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all be
comforted. (32)And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the
prophets. (33)For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as
in all the churches of his saints.
(34)Let your women be silent in the churches: for it is not permitted
to them to speak: but to be in subjection, as also the law saith[100].
(35)But if they will learn any thing, let them ask their own husbands
at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church. (36)Went
the word of God from you? or came it unto you only? (37)If any man
thinketh that he is a prophet, or spiritually gifted, let him
acknowledge that the things which I write unto you are the commandments
of the Lord. (38)But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.
(39)Wherefore, my brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and forbid
not to speak with tongues. (40)Let all things be done with propriety,
and orderly.