1
Corinthians 14
1 Follow after
charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may
prophesy.
2 For he that speaketh in an unknown
tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him;
howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.
3 But he that prophesieth speaketh
unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.
4 He that speaketh in an unknown
tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.
5 I would that ye all spake with
tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that
prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that
the church may receive edifying.
6 Now, brethren, if I come unto you
speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to
you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by
doctrine?
7 And even things without life
giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the
sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?
8 For if the trumpet give an
uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?
9 So likewise ye, except ye utter by
the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is
spoken? for ye shall speak into the air.
10 There are, it may be, so many
kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without
signification.
11 Therefore if I know not the
meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and
he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me.
12 Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are
zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying
of the church.
13 Wherefore let him that speaketh
in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.
14 For if I pray in an unknown
tongue, my spirit prayeth, 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 Else when thou shalt bless with
the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen
at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest?
17 For thou verily givest thanks
well, but the other is not edified.
18 I thank my God, I speak with
tongues more than ye all:
19 Yet in the church I had rather
speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might
teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.
20 Brethren, be not children in
understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be
men.
21 In the law it is written, With men
of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet
for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord.
22 Wherefore tongues are for a sign,
not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth
not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.
23 If therefore the whole church be
come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come
in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that
ye are mad?
24 But if all prophesy, and there
come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced
of all, he is judged of all:
25 And thus are
the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his
face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.
26 How is it then, brethren? when ye
come 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
unto edifying.
27 If any man speak in an unknown
tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that
by course; and let one interpret.
28 But if there be no interpreter,
let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to
God.
29 Let the prophets speak two or
three, and let the other judge.
30 If any thing be revealed
to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.
31 For ye may all prophesy one by
one, that all may learn, and all may 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 churches of the saints.
34 Let your women keep silence in
the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are
commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law.
35 And if they will learn any thing,
let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak
in the church.
36 What? came the word of God out
from you? or came it unto you only?
37 If any man think himself to be a
prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write
unto you are the commandments of the Lord.
38 But if any man be ignorant, let
him be ignorant.
39 Wherefore, brethren, covet to
prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.
40 Let all things be done decently
and in order.
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