1 Coríntios 14

¹ Pursue love, and be zealous over spiritual matters, but rather that you may prophesy.

² For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries.

³ But he who prophesies speaks to men for building up and exhortation and comfort.

⁴ He who speaks in a tongue builds himself up, but he who prophesies builds up the church.

⁵ I wish you all spoke with tongues, but rather that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive building up.

⁶ But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking in tongues, what shall I profit you unless I speak to you either by revelation, by knowledge, by prophesying, or by teaching?

⁷ Even things without life, whether flute or harp, when they make a sound, unless they present different musical notes, how will it be known what is piped or played?

⁸ For if the trumpet gives an uncertain sound, who will prepare himself for battle?

⁹ So likewise you, if you do not utter by the tongue words easy to understand, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air.

¹⁰ There are, it may be, so many ethnic languages in the world, and none of them is without its own speech.

¹¹ Therefore, if I do not know the dynamics of the language, I shall be a foreigner to him who speaks, and he who speaks will be a foreigner to me.

¹² Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual matters, seek to excel in the building up of the church.

¹³ Therefore let him who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret.

¹⁴ For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.

¹⁵ What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the mind. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the mind.

¹⁶ Otherwise, if you praise in the spirit, how will he who occupies the place set apart for the unlearned say Amen at your giving of thanks, since he does not understand what you say?

¹⁷ For you indeed give thanks well, but the other is not built up.

¹⁸ I thank my God I speak with tongues more than every one of you;

¹⁹ yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my mind, that I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue.

²⁰ Brethren, do not be children in understanding; however, in malice be infants, but in understanding be mature.

²¹ In the Law it is written: With men of other languages and other lips I will speak to this people; And yet, for all that, they will not hear Me, says the Lord.

²² Therefore tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophesying is not for unbelievers but for those who believe.

²³ Therefore if the whole church comes together in one place, and everyone speaks in tongues, and there come in those who are unlearned or unbelievers, will they not say that you are not in your right minds?

²⁴ But if everyone prophesies, and an unbeliever or an unlearned person comes in, he is convicted by all, he is judged by all.

²⁵ And thus the secrets of his heart become revealed; and so, falling down on his face, he will do homage to God and proclaim that God is truly among you.

²⁶ How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each one of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up.

²⁷ If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at the most three, each in turn, and let one interpret.

²⁸ But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in church, and let him speak to himself and to God.

²⁹ Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others discern.

³⁰ But if anything is revealed to another who sits by, let the first keep silent.

³¹ For you can each prophesy one by one, that everyone may learn and everyone may be encouraged.

³² And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.

³³ For God is not of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.

³⁴ Let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be in subjection, as the Law also says.

³⁵ And if they desire to learn something, let them question their own husbands at home; for it is shameful for women to speak in church.

³⁶ Or did the Word of God go forth from you? Or did it come only to you?

³⁷ If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord.

³⁸ But if anyone is ignorant, let him be ignorant.

³⁹ Therefore, brethren, be zealous to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues.

⁴⁰ Let all things be done decently and in order.