Gifts That Build the Family Up
14 1 Pursue love, and eagerly desire the spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. 2 For the one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to our Father, since no one understands him; he speaks mysteries in the Spirit. 3 But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their building up, encouragement, and comfort. 4 The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church. 5 I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more that you would prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may be built up.
6 Now, brothers and sisters, 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 lifeless things that make a sound—whether flute or harp—if the notes aren't distinct, how will anyone know what is being played? 8 And if the trumpet sounds an unclear 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 is being said? You will only be speaking into the air. 10 There are, no doubt, many kinds of languages in the world, and none of them is without meaning. 11 But if I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be a foreigner to the speaker, and the speaker a foreigner to me. 12 So it is with you: since you are eager for the gifts of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church. 13 Therefore, the one who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret it. 14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays but my mind is unfruitful.
15 So what should I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also; I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will sing praise with my mind also. 16 Otherwise, if you praise in the spirit, how will someone sitting there as an outsider 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 person is not built up. 18 I thank our Father that I speak in tongues more than all of you. 19 But in the church I would rather speak five words with my mind, to instruct others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue.
20 Brothers and sisters, do not be children in your thinking. In evil be infants, but in your thinking be mature.
21 In the Law it is written: "By people of strange tongues and by the lips of foreigners I will speak to this people, and even then they will not listen to me, says our Father."
22 So then, tongues are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers, while prophecy is a sign not for unbelievers but for believers. 23 So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your minds? 24 But if everyone prophesies, and an unbeliever or outsider comes in, he is convicted by all and called to account by all, 25 the secrets of his heart are laid bare, and so, falling on his face, he will worship our Father, declaring that our Father is truly among you.
Worship in Fitting Order
26 What then, brothers and sisters? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a teaching, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let everything be done for building up. 27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, let it be two, or at most three, and each in turn, and let someone interpret. 28 But if there is no interpreter, let the speaker keep silent in the church and speak to himself and to our Father. 29 Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh carefully what is said. 30 And if a revelation comes to someone else sitting there, the first speaker should stop. 31 For you can all prophesy one by one, so that everyone may learn and everyone be encouraged, 32 and the spirits of prophets are subject to the prophets. 33 For our Father is not one for disorder but for peace. As in all the churches of the saints, 34 the women should keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak, but should be in submission, as the Law also says. 35 If they want to learn about something, let them ask their own husbands at home, for it is shameful for a woman to speak in the church. 36 Or did the word of our Father originate with you? Or are you the only ones it has reached? 37 If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the command of the Lord. 38 But if anyone ignores this, he himself will be ignored.
39 So then, my brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. 40 But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.
