1Corinthians:14

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* Make love your aim , and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts , especially that you may prophesy . * For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God ; for no one understands him , but he utters mysteries in the Spirit . * On the other hand , he who prophesies speaks to men for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation . * He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself , but he who prophesies edifies the church . * Now I want you all to speak in tongues , but even more to prophesy . He who prophesies is greater than he who speaks in tongues , unless some one interprets , so that the church may be edified . * Now , brethren , if I come to you speaking in tongues , how shall I benefit you unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching ? * If even lifeless instruments , such as the flute or the harp , do not give distinct notes , how will any one know what is played ? * And if the bugle gives an indistinct sound , who will get ready for battle ? * So with yourselves ; if you in a tongue utter speech that is not intelligible , how will any one know what is said ? For you will be speaking into the air . * There are doubtless many different languages in the world , and none is without meaning ; * but if I do not know the meaning of the language , I shall be a foreigner to the speaker and the speaker a foreigner to me . * So with yourselves ; since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit , strive to excel in building up the church . * Therefore , he who speaks in a tongue should pray for the power to interpret . * For if I pray in a tongue , my spirit prays but my mind is unfruitful . * What am I to do ? I will pray with the spirit and I will pray with the mind also ; I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also . * Otherwise , if you bless with the spirit , how can any one in the position of an outsider say the "Amen " to your thanksgiving when he does not know what you are saying ? * For you may give thanks well enough , but the other man is not edified . * I thank God that I speak in tongues more than you all ; * nevertheless , in church I would rather speak five words with my mind , in order to instruct others , than ten thousand words in a tongue . * Brethren , do not be children in your thinking ; be babes in evil , but in thinking be mature . * In the law it is written , "By men of strange tongues and by the lips of foreigners will I speak to this people , and even then they will not listen to me , says the Lord ." * Thus , tongues are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers , while prophecy is not for unbelievers but for believers . * If , therefore , the whole church assembles and all speak in tongues , and outsiders or unbelievers enter , will they not say that you are mad ? * But if all prophesy , and an unbeliever or outsider enters , he is convicted by all , he is called to account by all , * the secrets of his heart are disclosed ; and so , falling on his face , he will worship God and declare that God is really among you . * What then , brethren ? When you come together , each one has a hymn , a lesson , a revelation , a tongue , or an interpretation . Let all things be done for edification . * If any speak in a tongue , let there be only two or at most three , and each in turn ; and let one interpret . * But if there is no one to interpret , let each of them keep silence in church and speak to himself and to God . * Let two or three prophets speak , and let the others weigh what is said . * If a revelation is made to another sitting by , let the first be silent . * For you can all prophesy one by one , so that all may learn and all be encouraged ; * and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets . * For God is not a God of confusion but of peace . As in all the churches of the saints , * the women should keep silence in the churches . For they are not permitted to speak , but should be subordinate , as even the law says . * If there is anything they desire to know , let them ask their husbands at home . For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church . * What ! Did the word of God originate with you , or are you the only ones it has reached ? * If any one thinks that he is a prophet , or spiritual , he should acknowledge that what I am writing to you is a command of the Lord . * If any one does not recognize this , he is not recognized . * So , my brethren , earnestly desire to prophesy , and do not forbid speaking in tongues ; * but all things should be done decently and in order .

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