# 1 Corinthians 14 (New King James Version) Prophecy and Tongues ##### Chapter 14 ###### 1 Pursue love, and desire spiritual _gifts,_ but especially 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 edification and 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; for he who prophesies _is_ greater 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 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 them _is_ without significance. ###### 11 Therefore, if I do not know the meaning 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 _gifts, let it be_ for the edification of the church _that_ you seek to excel. ###### 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 understanding is unfruitful. ###### 15 What is _the conclusion_ then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding. ###### 16 Otherwise, if you bless with the spirit, how will he who occupies the place of the uninformed 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 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, do not be children in understanding; however, in malice be babes, but in understanding be mature. ###### 21 In the law it is written: "With _men of_ other tongues 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 all speak with tongues, and there come in _those who are_ uninformed or unbelievers, will they not say that you are 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 And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed; and so, falling down on _his_ face, he will worship God and report 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, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. ###### 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 judge. ###### 30 But if _anything_ is revealed to another who sits by, 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 the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. ###### 33 For God is not _the author_ 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 submissive, as the 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 come _originally_ from you? Or _was it_ you only that it reached? ###### 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, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues. ###### 40 Let all things be done decently and in order.