| 1 Follow after love; yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts,
but rather that ye may prophesy. 2 For he that speaketh in a tongue
speaketh not unto men, but unto God; for no man understandeth; but in the
spirit he speaketh mysteries. 3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men
edification, and exhortation, and consolation. 4 He that speaketh in a
tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.
5 Now I would have you all speak with tongues, but rather that ye should
prophesy: and greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with
tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying. 6 But
now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit
you, unless I speak to you either by way of revelation, or of knowledge, or
of prophesying, or of teaching? 7 Even things without life, giving a
voice, whether pipe or harp, if they give not a distinction in the sounds,
how shall it be known what is piped or harped? 8 For if the trumpet give
an uncertain voice, who shall prepare himself for war? 9 So also ye,
unless ye utter by the tongue speech easy to understood, how shall it be
known what is spoken? for ye will be speaking into the air. 10 There are,
it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and no kind is
without signification. 11 If then I know not the meaning of the voice, I
shall be to him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh will be a
barbarian unto me. 12 So also ye, since ye are zealous of spiritual
gifts, seek that ye may abound unto the edifying of the church.
13 Wherefore let him that speaketh in a tongue pray that he may interpret.
14 For if I pray in a 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 if thou bless with the spirit,
how shall he that filleth the place of the unlearned say the Amen at thy
giving of thanks, seeing he knoweth not what thou sayest? 17 For thou
verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified. 18 I thank God, I
speak with tongues more than you all: 19 howbeit in the church I had
rather speak five words with my understanding, that I might instruct others
also, than ten thousand words in a tongue. 20 Brethren, be not children in
mind: yet in malice be ye babes, but in mind be men. 21 In the law it is
written, By men of strange tongues and by the lips of strangers will I speak
unto this people; and not even thus will they hear me, saith the Lord.
22 Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to the
unbelieving: but prophesying is for a sign, not to the unbelieving,
but to them that believe. 23 If therefore the whole church be assembled
together and all speak with tongues, and there come in men unlearned or
unbelieving, will they not say that ye are mad? 24 But if all prophesy,
and there come in one unbelieving or unlearned, he is reproved by all, he is
judged by all; 25 the secrets of his heart are made manifest; and so he
will fall down on his face and worship God, declaring that God is among you
indeed. 26 What is it then, brethren? When ye come together, each one hath
a psalm, hath a teaching, hath a revelation, hath a tongue, hath an
interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying. 27 If any man
speaketh in a tongue, let it be by two, or at the most three, and
that in turn; 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 And let the prophets speak by two or
three, and let the others discern. 30 But if a revelation be made to
another sitting by, let the first keep silence. 31 For ye all can prophesy
one by one, that all may learn, and all may be exhorted; 32 and the
spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets; 33 for God is not
a God of confusion, but of peace. As in all the churches of the
saints, 34 let the women keep silence in the churches: for it is not
permitted unto them to speak; but let them be in subjection, as also saith
the law. 35 And if they would learn anything, let them ask their own
husbands at home: for it is shameful for a woman to speak in the church.
36 What? was it from you that the word of God went forth? or came it unto
you alone? 37 If any man thinketh himself to be a prophet, or spiritual,
let him take knowledge of the things which I write unto you, that they are
the commandment of the Lord. 38 But if any man is ignorant, let him be
ignorant. 39 Wherefore, my brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and
forbid not to speak with tongues. 40 But let all things be done decently
and in order.
Genesis - Public
Domain
| |
