1 Corinthians 14

New King James Version

Prophecy and Tongues

14 Pursue love, and^(A)desire spiritualgifts,^(B)but especially that you may prophesy.² For he who^(C)speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understandshim;however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries.³ But he who prophesies speaks^(D)edification and^(E)exhortation and comfort to men.⁴ He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.⁵ I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied;^[a]for he who prophesiesisgreater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification.

Tongues Must Be Interpreted

⁶ But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you unless I speak to you either by^(F)revelation, by knowledge, by prophesying, or by teaching?⁷ Even things without life, whether flute or harp, when they make a sound, unless they make a distinction in the sounds, how will it be known what is piped or played?⁸ For if the trumpet makes an uncertain sound, who will prepare for battle?⁹ So likewise you, unless you 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 kinds of languages in the world, and none of themiswithout^[b]significance.¹¹ Therefore, if I do not know the meaning of the language, I shall be a^[c]foreigner to him who speaks, and he who speakswill bea foreigner to me.¹² Even so you, since you are^[d]zealous for spiritualgifts, let it befor the^[e]edification of the churchthatyou seek to excel.

¹³ Therefore let him who speaks in a tongue pray that he may^(G)interpret.¹⁴ For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.¹⁵ What isthe conclusionthen? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding.^(H)I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing^(I)with the understanding.¹⁶ Otherwise, if you bless with the spirit, how will he who occupies the place of the uninformed say “Amen”^(J)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 edified.

¹⁸ I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all;¹⁹ yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue.

Tongues a Sign to Unbelievers

²⁰ Brethren,^(K)do not be children in understanding; however, in malice^(L)be babes, but in understanding be mature.

^21 (M)In the law it is written:

says the Lord.

²² Therefore tongues are for a^(O)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 all speak with tongues, and there come inthose who areuninformed or unbelievers,^(P)will they not say that you are^[f]out of your mind?²⁴ But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an uninformed person comes in, he is convinced by all, he is convicted by all.^25 [g]And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed; and so, falling down onhisface, he will worship God and report^(Q)that God is truly among you.

Order in Church Meetings

²⁶ How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm,^(R)has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation.^(S)Let all things be done for^[h]edification.²⁷ If anyone speaks in a tongue,let there betwo or at the most three,eachin 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^(T)let the others judge.³⁰ But ifanythingis revealed to another who sits by,^(U)let the first keep silent.³¹ For you can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be encouraged.³² And^(V)the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.³³ For God is notthe authorof^[i]confusion but of peace,^(W)as in all the churches of the saints.

^34 (X)Let^[j]your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak; butthey areto be submissive, as the^(Y)law also says.³⁵ And if they want to learn something, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is shameful for women to speak in church.

³⁶ Or did the word of God comeoriginallyfrom you? Orwas ityou only that it reached?^37 (Z)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^[k]if anyone is ignorant, let him be ignorant.

³⁹ Therefore, brethren,^(AA)desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues.^40 (AB)Let all things be done decently and in order.