1 Corinthians 14:6-40

New International Version

⁶ Now, brothers and sisters, if I come to you and speak in tongues, what good will I be to you, unless I bring you some revelation^(A) or knowledge^(B) or prophecy or word of instruction?^{(C) 7} Even in the case of lifeless things that make sounds, such as the pipe or harp, how will anyone know what tune is being played unless there is a distinction in the notes? ⁸ Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle?^{(D) 9} So it is with you. Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air. ¹⁰ Undoubtedly there are all sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning. ¹¹ If then I do not grasp the meaning of what someone is saying, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and the speaker is a foreigner to me.^{(E) 12} So it is with you. Since you are eager for gifts of the Spirit,^(F) try to excel in those that build up^(G) the church.

¹³ For this reason the one who speaks in a tongue should pray that they may interpret what they say.^{(H) 14} For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays,^(I) but my mind is unfruitful. ¹⁵ So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit,^(J) but I will also pray with my understanding; I will sing^(K) with my spirit, but I will also sing with my understanding. ¹⁶ Otherwise when you are praising God in the Spirit, how can someone else, who is now put in the position of an inquirer,^[a] say “Amen”^(L) to your thanksgiving,^(M) since they do not know what you are saying? ¹⁷ You are giving thanks well enough, but no one else is edified.^(N)

¹⁸ I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. ¹⁹ But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.^(O)

²⁰ Brothers and sisters, stop thinking like children.^(P) In regard to evil be infants,^(Q) but in your thinking be adults. ²¹ In the Law^(R) it is written:

²² Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy,^(T) however, is not for unbelievers but for believers. ²³ So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and inquirers or unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind?^{(U) 24} But if an unbeliever or an inquirer comes in while everyone is prophesying, they are convicted of sin and are brought under judgment by all, ²⁵ as the secrets^(V) of their hearts are laid bare. So they will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, “God is really among you!”^(W)

Good Order in Worship

²⁶ What then shall we say, brothers and sisters?^(X) When you come together, each of you^(Y) has a hymn,^(Z) or a word of instruction,^(AA) a revelation, a tongue^(AB) or an interpretation.^(AC) Everything must be done so that the church may be built up.^{(AD) 27} If anyone speaks in a tongue, two—or at the most three—should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret. ²⁸ If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and to God.

²⁹ Two or three prophets^(AE) should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said.^{(AF) 30} And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop. ³¹ For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged. ³² The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets.^{(AG) 33} For God is not a God of disorder^(AH) but of peace^(AI)—as in all the congregations^(AJ) of the Lord’s people.^(AK)

³⁴ Women^[c] should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak,^(AL) but must be in submission,^(AM) as the law^(AN) says. ³⁵ If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church.^[d]

³⁶ Or did the word of God^(AO) originate with you? Or are you the only people it has reached? ³⁷ If anyone thinks they are a prophet^(AP) or otherwise gifted by the Spirit,^(AQ) let them acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord’s command.^{(AR) 38} But if anyone ignores this, they will themselves be ignored.^[e]

³⁹ Therefore, my brothers and sisters, be eager^(AS) to prophesy,^(AT) and do not forbid speaking in tongues. ⁴⁰ But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly^(AU) way.