Read the Bible

Prophecy a Superior Gift

^1 (C1)Pursue love, yet ^(C2)desire earnestly ^(C3)spiritual gifts, but especially that you may ^(C4)prophesy.² For one who ^(C1)speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God; for no one ^(F1)understands, but ^(F2)in his spirit he speaks ^(C2)mysteries.³ But one who prophesies speaks to men for ^(C1)edification and ^(C2)exhortation and consolation.⁴ One who ^(C1)speaks in a tongue ^(C2)edifies himself; but one who ^(C3)prophesies ^(C2)edifies the church.⁵ Now I wish that you all ^(C1)spoke in tongues, but ^(C2)even more that you would prophesy; and greater is one who prophesies than one who ^(C1)speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may receive ^(C3)edifying.

⁶ But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking in tongues, what will I profit you unless I speak to you either by way of ^(C1)revelation or of ^(C2)knowledge or of ^(C3)prophecy or of ^(C4)teaching?⁷ Yet even lifeless things, either flute or harp, in producing a sound, if they do not produce a distinction in the tones, how will it be known what is played on the flute or on the harp?⁸ For if ^(C1)the ^(F1)bugle produces an indistinct sound, who will prepare himself for battle?⁹ So also you, unless you utter by the tongue speech that is clear, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be ^(C1)speaking into the air.¹⁰ There are, perhaps, a great many kinds of ^(F1)languages in the world, and no kind is without meaning.¹¹ If then I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be to the one who speaks a ^(F1)(C1)barbarian, and the one who speaks will be a ^(F1)barbarian ^(F2)to me.¹² So also you, since you are zealous of ^(F1)spiritual gifts, seek to abound for the ^(C1)edification of the church.

¹³ Therefore let one 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 (C1)What is the outcome then? I will pray with the spirit and I will pray with the mind also; I will ^(C2)sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also.¹⁶ Otherwise if you bless ^(F1)in the spirit only, how will the one who fills the place of the ^(F2)ungifted say ^(C1)the "Amen" at your ^(C2)giving of thanks, since he does not know what you are saying?¹⁷ For you are giving thanks well enough, but the other person is not ^(C1)edified.¹⁸ I thank God, I speak in tongues more than you all;¹⁹ however, in the church I desire to speak five words with my mind so that I may instruct others also, rather than ten thousand words in a tongue.

Instruction for the Church

^20 (C1)Brethren, ^(C2)do not be children in your thinking; yet in evil ^(C3)be infants, but in your thinking be mature.²¹ In ^(C1)the Law it is written, "^(C2)BY MEN OF STRANGE TONGUES AND BY THE LIPS OF STRANGERS I WILL SPEAK TO THIS PEOPLE, AND EVEN SO THEY WILL NOT LISTEN TO ME," says the Lord.²² So then tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but ^(C1)prophecy is for a sign, not to unbelievers but to those who believe.²³ Therefore if the whole church assembles together and all speak in tongues, and ^(F1)ungifted men or unbelievers enter, will they not say that ^(C1)you are mad?²⁴ But if all ^(C1)prophesy, and an unbeliever or an ^(F1)ungifted man enters, he is ^(C2)convicted by all, he is called to account by all;^25 (C1)the secrets of his heart are disclosed; and so he will ^(C2)fall on his face and worship God, ^(C3)declaring that God is certainly among you.

^26 (C1)What is the outcome then, ^(C2)brethren? When you assemble, ^(C3)each one has a ^(C4)psalm, has a ^(C5)teaching, has a ^(C5)revelation, has a ^(C6)tongue, has an ^(C7)interpretation. Let ^(C8)all things be done for edification.²⁷ If anyone speaks in a ^(C1)tongue, it should be by two or at the most three, and each in turn, and one must ^(C2)interpret;²⁸ but if there is no interpreter, he must keep silent in the church; and let him speak to himself and to God.²⁹ Let two or three ^(C1)prophets speak, and let the others ^(C2)pass judgment.³⁰ But if a revelation is made to another who is seated, the first one must keep silent.³¹ For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all may be exhorted;³² and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets;³³ for God is not a God of ^(C1)confusion but of ^(F1)peace, as in ^(C2)all the churches of the ^(C3)saints.

³⁴ The women are to ^(C1)keep silent in the churches; for they are not permitted to speak, but ^(C2)are to subject themselves, just as ^(C3)the Law also says.³⁵ If they desire to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is ^(F1)improper for a woman to speak in church.^36 (F1)Was it from you that the word of God first went forth? Or has it come to you only?

^37 (C1)If anyone thinks he is a prophet or ^(C2)spiritual, let him recognize that the things which I write to you ^(C3)are the Lord's commandment.³⁸ But if anyone does not recognize this, he ^(F1)is not recognized.

³⁹ Therefore, my brethren, ^(C1)desire earnestly to ^(C2)prophesy, and do not forbid to speak in tongues.⁴⁰ But ^(C1)all things must be done properly and in an orderly manner.