1 Corinthians 14:1-25 - Appropriate Use Of Prophecy And Tongues

¹ Cherish love, and be earnestly desirous of spiritual gifts, but rather that you may prophesy. ² For he that speaks with a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but in spirit he speaks mysteries; ³ but he that prophesies speaks to men to edification and exhortation and consolation. ⁴ He that speaks with a tongue edifies himself; but he that prophesies edifies an assembly. ⁵ I wish you all to speak with tongues, but rather that you should prophesy; and he that prophesies is greater than he that speaks with tongues, unless he interprets, that the assembly may receive edification.

⁶ But now, brothers, if I come to you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, unless I speak to you by a revelation, or by a knowledge, or by a prophecy, or by a doctrine? ⁷ So of irrational objects making a sound, whether a flute or harp; if it makes no distinction of sounds, how shall it be known what is played on the flute or harp? ⁸ For also if the trumpet gives an uncertain sound, who will prepare himself for the battle? ⁹ So also you by a tongue if you utter a word not easily understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for you will speak to the air. ¹⁰ There are perhaps as many kinds of voices in the world, and no one is without significance; ¹¹ if therefore I do not know the meaning of the voice, I shall be to him that speaks a barbarian, and he that speaks will be a barbarian to me. ¹² So also you, since you are earnestly desirous of spirits [spiritual gifts], seek to abound for the edification of the church.

¹³ Let him therefore that speaks with a tongue pray that he may interpret, ¹⁴ For if I pray with a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. ¹⁵ What then is [to be done]? I will pray with the spirit, I will pray also with the understanding; I will sing with the spirit, I will sing also with the understanding; ¹⁶ since if you bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupies the place of the unlearned say, Amen, to your thanksgiving, since he knows not what you say? ¹⁷ For you indeed give thanks well; but the other is not edified. ¹⁸ I thank God I speak with a tongue more than you all; ¹⁹ but in an assembly I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may also teach others, than ten thousand words in a tongue.

²⁰ Brothers, be not children in understanding, but in malice be children, and in understanding be perfect men. ²¹ For it is written in the law, With other tongues, and with other lips will I speak to this people, and so they shall not understand me, says the Lord. ²² Tongues therefore are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers, but prophecy is not for unbelievers but for believers. ²³ If, therefore, the whole church comes together, and all speak with tongues, and there come in the unlearned and unbelieving, will they not say that you are mad? ²⁴ But if all prophesy, and there comes in an unbeliever or an unlearned man, he is convinced by all, he is examined by all, ²⁵ and the secrets of his heart are made manifest, and so falling down on his face he worships God, declaring that God is really among you.