Follow after charity, and desire spiritual
gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy. 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.
But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and
exhortation, and comfort. He that speaketh in an unknown tongue
edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.
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.
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? 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? For if the trumpet
give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?
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. There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices
in the world, and none of them is without signification. 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. Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual
gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.
Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown
tongue pray that he may interpret. For if I pray in an unknown
tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.
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. 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? For thou verily givest thanks well, but
the other is not edified. I thank my God, I speak with tongues
more than ye all: 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. Brethren, be not
children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but
in understanding be men. 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. 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. 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? 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: 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. 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. 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. But if there be no interpreter,
let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself,
and to God. Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other
judge. If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let
the first hold his peace. For ye may all prophesy one by one,
that all may learn, and all may be comforted. And the spirits
of the prophets are subject to the prophets. For God is not the
author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
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. 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. What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only? 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. But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant. Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues. Let all things be done decently and in order.