I CORINTHIANS CHAPTER XIV

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 the 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.