Instructions ...or just type it: |
The First Epistle of Saint Paul to the Corinthians
Chapter 14
The gift of prophesying is to be preferred before that of speaking strange tongues.
1 |
Follow after charity, be zealous for spiritual gifts; but rather that you may prophesy. |
2 |
For he that speaketh in a tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man heareth. Yet by the Spirit he speaketh mysteries. |
3 |
But he that prophesieth speaketh to men unto edification and exhortation and comfort. |
4 |
He that speaketh in a tongue edifieth himself: but he that prophesieth, edifieth the church. |
5 |
And I would have you all to speak with tongues, but rather to prophesy. For greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues: unless perhaps he interpret, that the church may receive edification. |
6 |
But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, unless I speak to you either in revelation or in knowledge or in prophecy or in doctrine? |
7 |
Even things without life that give sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction of 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 you, except you utter by the tongue plain speech, how shall it be known what is said? For you shall be speaking into the air. |
10 |
There are, for example, so many kinds of tongues in this world: and none is without voice. |
11 |
If then I know not the power of the voice, I shall be to him to whom I speak a barbarian: and he that speaketh a barbarian to me. |
12 |
So you also, forasmuch as you are zealous of spirits, seek to abound unto the edifying of the church. |
13 |
And therefore he that speaketh by a tongue, let him pray that he may interpret. |
14 |
For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prayeth: but my understanding is without fruit. |
15 |
What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, I will pray also with the understanding, I will sing with the spirit, I will sing also with the understanding. |
16 |
Else, if thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that holdeth the place of the unlearned say, Amen, to thy blessing? Because he knoweth not what thou sayest. |
17 |
For thou indeed givest thanks well: but the other is not edified. |
18 |
I thank my God I speak with all your tongues. |
19 |
But in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may instruct others also: than ten thousand words in a tongue. |
20 |
Brethren, do not become children in sense. But in malice be children: and in sense be perfect. |
21 |
In the law it is written: In other tongues and other lips I will speak to this people: and neither so will they hear me, saith the Lord. |
22 |
Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to believers but to unbelievers: but prophecies, not to unbelievers but to believers. |
23 |
If therefore the whole church come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in unlearned persons or infidels, will they not say that you are mad? |
24 |
But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not or an unlearned person, he is convinced of all: he is judged of all. |
25 |
The secrets of his heart are made manifest. And so, falling down on his face, he will adore God, affirming that God is among you indeed. |
26 |
How is it then, brethren? When you come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a revelation, hath a tongue, hath an interpretation: let all things be done to edification. |
27 |
If any speak with a tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and in course: and let one interpret. |
28 |
But if there be no interpreter, let him hold his peace in the church and speak to himself and to God. |
29 |
And let the prophets speak, two or three: and let the rest judge. |
30 |
But if any thing be revealed to another sitting, let the first hold his peace. |
31 |
For you may all 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 the God of dissension, but of peace: as also I teach in all the churches of the saints. |
34 |
Let women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted them to speak but to be subject, as also the law saith. |
35 |
But if they would learn anything, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is a shame for a woman to speak in the church. |
36 |
Or did the word of God come out from you? Or came it only unto you? |
37 |
If any seem to be a prophet or spiritual, let him know the things that I write to you, that they are the commandments of the Lord. |
38 |
But if any man know not, he shall not be known. |
39 |
Wherefore, brethren, be zealous to prophesy: and forbid not to speak with tongues. |
40 |
But let all things be done decently and according to order. |