Thematic Bible
Thematic Bible
Interpretation » Of foreign tongues
And so you through the tongue, unless you produce a clear message, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air. There are probably so many kinds of languages in the world, and none without meaning. Therefore, if I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be a barbarian to the one who is speaking, and the one who is speaking [will be] a barbarian in my [judgment]. read more.
In this way also you, since you are zealous of spiritual [gifts], seek for the edification of the church, in order that you may abound. Therefore the one who speaks in a tongue must pray that he may interpret. For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays but my mind is unproductive. {Therefore what should I do}? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind. I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will also sing praise with my mind. For otherwise, if you praise in [your] spirit, how will the one who fills the place of the outsider say the "amen" at your thanksgiving, because he does not know what you are saying? For indeed you are giving thanks well, but the other person is not edified. I give thanks to God [that] I speak with tongues more than all of you, but in the church I prefer to speak five words with my mind, in order that I may instruct other [people], than ten thousand words in a tongue.
In this way also you, since you are zealous of spiritual [gifts], seek for the edification of the church, in order that you may abound. Therefore the one who speaks in a tongue must pray that he may interpret. For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays but my mind is unproductive. {Therefore what should I do}? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind. I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will also sing praise with my mind. For otherwise, if you praise in [your] spirit, how will the one who fills the place of the outsider say the "amen" at your thanksgiving, because he does not know what you are saying? For indeed you are giving thanks well, but the other person is not edified. I give thanks to God [that] I speak with tongues more than all of you, but in the church I prefer to speak five words with my mind, in order that I may instruct other [people], than ten thousand words in a tongue.
Spiritual life » Should animate the services of saints
Therefore I exhort you, brothers, through the mercies of God, to present your bodies [as] a living sacrifice, holy [and] pleasing to God, [which is] your reasonable service.
Verse Concepts
Acceptance, From GodGiving, Of OneselfAbundant LifeAcceptance, divineCoolPersonal ConsecrationFalse Worshipethics, incentives towardsencouragement, examples ofAcceptance, Of WorshipDevotion To GodSurrenderingDedication In NtAromasBodyGrowthHoliness Of The SaintsHoliness, Purpose OfHonorMercy, Response To God'sMind, Of GodPleasing GodPriesthood, In NtPriests, Tasks In Nt TimesResponseSacrifice, Nt Fulfilment OfSanctification, Nature And Basis
Self DenialServanthood, And Worship Of GodTypesWork, And RedemptionWorship, Acceptable AttitudesBeing DevoutOfferings, FigurativeSpiritual Life, Described ByThe Human BodyMan's Conduct Towards GodDrugs, Illegal NarcoticsUnworldlinessEnthusiasmProvision For The BodyThat Which Is SpiritualAltarsHow To Worship GodLiving OnRight SacrificesEating DisordersServiceSurrenderSacrificeCall To ActiontransitionChristians Being Called Brothers
{Therefore what should I do}? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind. I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will also sing praise with my mind.
Music » Youthful » Singing » A religious duty
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another with all wisdom, with psalms, hymns, [and] spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God,
Verse Concepts
Fellowship, Among BelieversAttending ChurchCommitment, to God's peopleequipping, spiritualencouragement, examples ofJoy In WorshipBehaviourChallengesTeachersHeart, And Holy SpiritHymnsMusicPraise, Manner And Methods OfRebukeSanctification, Means And ResultsScripture, Purpose OfSongsSpeech, Positive Aspects OfSpiritualityTeachingWisdom, Human Importance
Wisdom, Source Of HumanWorship, Elements OfGrowing SpirituallyPraise, Should Be Offered ByBible, Names OfAdmonition, Of ChristiansAdmonition, WarningTeaching WisdomBible MemorizationApplying The BibleAcquiring WisdomReceiving God's WordTeaching In The ChurchThank God!Memorizing ScriptureThankfulness To OthersBeing Thankful For BlessingsGrateful HeartThanksgiving And Gratitudeoutreachgirlfriends
Is anyone among you suffering misfortune? He should pray. Is anyone cheerful? He should sing praise.
{You shall have a song} as [in] [the] night when a holy festival is kept, and a gladness of heart like one who goes with the flute, to go to the mountain of Yahweh, to the rock of Israel.
Shout out to God our strength; shout joyfully to the God of Jacob.
speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and singing praise in your heart to the Lord,
{Therefore what should I do}? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind. I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will also sing praise with my mind.
Come, let us sing for joy to Yahweh; let us shout joyfully to the rock of our salvation.
Praise » Should be offered » With the understanding
{Therefore what should I do}? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind. I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will also sing praise with my mind.
For God [is] king of all the earth. Sing praises with understanding.
Prayer » Should be offered up » With the spirit and understanding
{Therefore what should I do}? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind. I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will also sing praise with my mind.
You worship what you do not know. We worship what we know, because salvation is from the Jews. But an hour is coming--and now is [here]--when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for indeed the Father seeks such [people] [to be] his worshipers. God [is] spirit, and the ones who worship him must worship in spirit and truth."
public Prayer » Should not be made in an unknown language
For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays but my mind is unproductive. {Therefore what should I do}? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind. I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will also sing praise with my mind. For otherwise, if you praise in [your] spirit, how will the one who fills the place of the outsider say the "amen" at your thanksgiving, because he does not know what you are saying?
Prophecy and prophets » Prophesying vs. Tongues
Pursue love, and strive for spiritual [gifts], but especially that you may prophesy. For the one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God, because no one understands, but by the Spirit he speaks mysteries. But the one who prophesies speaks to people edification and encouragement and consolation. read more.
The one who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but the one who prophesies edifies the church. Now I want you all to speak with tongues, but even more that you may prophesy. The one who prophesies [is] greater than the one who speaks with tongues, unless he interprets, in order that the church may receive edification. But now, brothers, if I come to you speaking with tongues, how do I benefit you, unless I speak to you either with a revelation or with knowledge or with a prophecy or with a teaching? Likewise, the inanimate things which produce a sound, whether flute or lyre, if they do not produce a distinction in the tones, how will it be known what is played on the flute or on the lyre? For indeed, if the trumpet produces an indistinct sound, who will prepare for battle? And so you through the tongue, unless you produce a clear message, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air. There are probably so many kinds of languages in the world, and none without meaning. Therefore, if I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be a barbarian to the one who is speaking, and the one who is speaking [will be] a barbarian in my [judgment]. In this way also you, since you are zealous of spiritual [gifts], seek for the edification of the church, in order that you may abound. Therefore the one who speaks in a tongue must pray that he may interpret. For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays but my mind is unproductive. {Therefore what should I do}? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind. I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will also sing praise with my mind. For otherwise, if you praise in [your] spirit, how will the one who fills the place of the outsider say the "amen" at your thanksgiving, because he does not know what you are saying? For indeed you are giving thanks well, but the other person is not edified. I give thanks to God [that] I speak with tongues more than all of you, but in the church I prefer to speak five words with my mind, in order that I may instruct other [people], than ten thousand words in a tongue. Brothers, do not become children in [your] understanding, but with respect to wickedness be as a child, and in [your] understanding be mature. In the law it is written: "By those who speak a foreign language and by the lips of others I will speak to this people, and not even in this way will they obey me," says the Lord. So then, tongues are for a sign not to those who believe, but to unbelievers, but prophecy [is] not for unbelievers, but for those who believe. Therefore, if the whole church comes together at the same [time] and all speak with tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are out of your minds? But if all prophesy, and some unbeliever or outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is judged by all, the secret things of his heart become evident, and so, falling on [his] face, he will worship God, proclaiming, "God is truly among you!" {Therefore what should you do}, brothers? Whenever you come together, each one of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. All [things] must be [done] for edification. If anyone speaks in a tongue, [it must be] on one occasion two or at most three, and {one after the other}, and one must interpret. But if there is no interpreter, he must be silent in the church, but let him speak to himself and to God. Let two or three prophets speak, and the others evaluate. And if [something] is revealed to another who is seated, the first must be silent. For you are all able to prophesy {in turn}, in order that all may learn and all may be encouraged, and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets. For God is not [a God of] disorder but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints, the women must be silent in the churches, for it is not permitted for them to speak, but they must be in submission, just as the law also says. But if they want to learn something, let them ask their own husbands at home, for it is shameful for a woman to speak in church. Or has the word of God gone out from you, or has it come to you only? If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual, he should recognize that [the things] which I am writing to you are of the Lord. But if anyone ignores [this], he is ignored. So then, my brothers, desire to prophesy, and do not prevent speaking with tongues. But let all [things] be [done] decently and according to proper procedure.
The one who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but the one who prophesies edifies the church. Now I want you all to speak with tongues, but even more that you may prophesy. The one who prophesies [is] greater than the one who speaks with tongues, unless he interprets, in order that the church may receive edification. But now, brothers, if I come to you speaking with tongues, how do I benefit you, unless I speak to you either with a revelation or with knowledge or with a prophecy or with a teaching? Likewise, the inanimate things which produce a sound, whether flute or lyre, if they do not produce a distinction in the tones, how will it be known what is played on the flute or on the lyre? For indeed, if the trumpet produces an indistinct sound, who will prepare for battle? And so you through the tongue, unless you produce a clear message, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air. There are probably so many kinds of languages in the world, and none without meaning. Therefore, if I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be a barbarian to the one who is speaking, and the one who is speaking [will be] a barbarian in my [judgment]. In this way also you, since you are zealous of spiritual [gifts], seek for the edification of the church, in order that you may abound. Therefore the one who speaks in a tongue must pray that he may interpret. For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays but my mind is unproductive. {Therefore what should I do}? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind. I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will also sing praise with my mind. For otherwise, if you praise in [your] spirit, how will the one who fills the place of the outsider say the "amen" at your thanksgiving, because he does not know what you are saying? For indeed you are giving thanks well, but the other person is not edified. I give thanks to God [that] I speak with tongues more than all of you, but in the church I prefer to speak five words with my mind, in order that I may instruct other [people], than ten thousand words in a tongue. Brothers, do not become children in [your] understanding, but with respect to wickedness be as a child, and in [your] understanding be mature. In the law it is written: "By those who speak a foreign language and by the lips of others I will speak to this people, and not even in this way will they obey me," says the Lord. So then, tongues are for a sign not to those who believe, but to unbelievers, but prophecy [is] not for unbelievers, but for those who believe. Therefore, if the whole church comes together at the same [time] and all speak with tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are out of your minds? But if all prophesy, and some unbeliever or outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is judged by all, the secret things of his heart become evident, and so, falling on [his] face, he will worship God, proclaiming, "God is truly among you!" {Therefore what should you do}, brothers? Whenever you come together, each one of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. All [things] must be [done] for edification. If anyone speaks in a tongue, [it must be] on one occasion two or at most three, and {one after the other}, and one must interpret. But if there is no interpreter, he must be silent in the church, but let him speak to himself and to God. Let two or three prophets speak, and the others evaluate. And if [something] is revealed to another who is seated, the first must be silent. For you are all able to prophesy {in turn}, in order that all may learn and all may be encouraged, and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets. For God is not [a God of] disorder but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints, the women must be silent in the churches, for it is not permitted for them to speak, but they must be in submission, just as the law also says. But if they want to learn something, let them ask their own husbands at home, for it is shameful for a woman to speak in church. Or has the word of God gone out from you, or has it come to you only? If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual, he should recognize that [the things] which I am writing to you are of the Lord. But if anyone ignores [this], he is ignored. So then, my brothers, desire to prophesy, and do not prevent speaking with tongues. But let all [things] be [done] decently and according to proper procedure.
Singing » A religious duty
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another with all wisdom, with psalms, hymns, [and] spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God,
Verse Concepts
Fellowship, Among BelieversAttending ChurchCommitment, to God's peopleequipping, spiritualencouragement, examples ofJoy In WorshipBehaviourChallengesTeachersHeart, And Holy SpiritHymnsMusicPraise, Manner And Methods OfRebukeSanctification, Means And ResultsScripture, Purpose OfSongsSpeech, Positive Aspects OfSpiritualityTeachingWisdom, Human Importance
Wisdom, Source Of HumanWorship, Elements OfGrowing SpirituallyPraise, Should Be Offered ByBible, Names OfAdmonition, Of ChristiansAdmonition, WarningTeaching WisdomBible MemorizationApplying The BibleAcquiring WisdomReceiving God's WordTeaching In The ChurchThank God!Memorizing ScriptureThankfulness To OthersBeing Thankful For BlessingsGrateful HeartThanksgiving And Gratitudeoutreachgirlfriends
Is anyone among you suffering misfortune? He should pray. Is anyone cheerful? He should sing praise.
{You shall have a song} as [in] [the] night when a holy festival is kept, and a gladness of heart like one who goes with the flute, to go to the mountain of Yahweh, to the rock of Israel.
Shout out to God our strength; shout joyfully to the God of Jacob.
speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and singing praise in your heart to the Lord,
{Therefore what should I do}? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind. I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will also sing praise with my mind.
Come, let us sing for joy to Yahweh; let us shout joyfully to the rock of our salvation.
Tongues » Tongues vs. Prophesying
Pursue love, and strive for spiritual [gifts], but especially that you may prophesy. For the one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God, because no one understands, but by the Spirit he speaks mysteries. But the one who prophesies speaks to people edification and encouragement and consolation. read more.
The one who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but the one who prophesies edifies the church. Now I want you all to speak with tongues, but even more that you may prophesy. The one who prophesies [is] greater than the one who speaks with tongues, unless he interprets, in order that the church may receive edification. But now, brothers, if I come to you speaking with tongues, how do I benefit you, unless I speak to you either with a revelation or with knowledge or with a prophecy or with a teaching? Likewise, the inanimate things which produce a sound, whether flute or lyre, if they do not produce a distinction in the tones, how will it be known what is played on the flute or on the lyre? For indeed, if the trumpet produces an indistinct sound, who will prepare for battle? And so you through the tongue, unless you produce a clear message, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air. There are probably so many kinds of languages in the world, and none without meaning. Therefore, if I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be a barbarian to the one who is speaking, and the one who is speaking [will be] a barbarian in my [judgment]. In this way also you, since you are zealous of spiritual [gifts], seek for the edification of the church, in order that you may abound. Therefore the one who speaks in a tongue must pray that he may interpret. For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays but my mind is unproductive. {Therefore what should I do}? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind. I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will also sing praise with my mind. For otherwise, if you praise in [your] spirit, how will the one who fills the place of the outsider say the "amen" at your thanksgiving, because he does not know what you are saying? For indeed you are giving thanks well, but the other person is not edified. I give thanks to God [that] I speak with tongues more than all of you, but in the church I prefer to speak five words with my mind, in order that I may instruct other [people], than ten thousand words in a tongue. Brothers, do not become children in [your] understanding, but with respect to wickedness be as a child, and in [your] understanding be mature. In the law it is written: "By those who speak a foreign language and by the lips of others I will speak to this people, and not even in this way will they obey me," says the Lord. So then, tongues are for a sign not to those who believe, but to unbelievers, but prophecy [is] not for unbelievers, but for those who believe. Therefore, if the whole church comes together at the same [time] and all speak with tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are out of your minds? But if all prophesy, and some unbeliever or outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is judged by all, the secret things of his heart become evident, and so, falling on [his] face, he will worship God, proclaiming, "God is truly among you!" {Therefore what should you do}, brothers? Whenever you come together, each one of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. All [things] must be [done] for edification. If anyone speaks in a tongue, [it must be] on one occasion two or at most three, and {one after the other}, and one must interpret. But if there is no interpreter, he must be silent in the church, but let him speak to himself and to God. Let two or three prophets speak, and the others evaluate. And if [something] is revealed to another who is seated, the first must be silent. For you are all able to prophesy {in turn}, in order that all may learn and all may be encouraged, and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets. For God is not [a God of] disorder but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints, the women must be silent in the churches, for it is not permitted for them to speak, but they must be in submission, just as the law also says. But if they want to learn something, let them ask their own husbands at home, for it is shameful for a woman to speak in church. Or has the word of God gone out from you, or has it come to you only? If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual, he should recognize that [the things] which I am writing to you are of the Lord. But if anyone ignores [this], he is ignored. So then, my brothers, desire to prophesy, and do not prevent speaking with tongues. But let all [things] be [done] decently and according to proper procedure.
The one who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but the one who prophesies edifies the church. Now I want you all to speak with tongues, but even more that you may prophesy. The one who prophesies [is] greater than the one who speaks with tongues, unless he interprets, in order that the church may receive edification. But now, brothers, if I come to you speaking with tongues, how do I benefit you, unless I speak to you either with a revelation or with knowledge or with a prophecy or with a teaching? Likewise, the inanimate things which produce a sound, whether flute or lyre, if they do not produce a distinction in the tones, how will it be known what is played on the flute or on the lyre? For indeed, if the trumpet produces an indistinct sound, who will prepare for battle? And so you through the tongue, unless you produce a clear message, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air. There are probably so many kinds of languages in the world, and none without meaning. Therefore, if I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be a barbarian to the one who is speaking, and the one who is speaking [will be] a barbarian in my [judgment]. In this way also you, since you are zealous of spiritual [gifts], seek for the edification of the church, in order that you may abound. Therefore the one who speaks in a tongue must pray that he may interpret. For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays but my mind is unproductive. {Therefore what should I do}? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind. I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will also sing praise with my mind. For otherwise, if you praise in [your] spirit, how will the one who fills the place of the outsider say the "amen" at your thanksgiving, because he does not know what you are saying? For indeed you are giving thanks well, but the other person is not edified. I give thanks to God [that] I speak with tongues more than all of you, but in the church I prefer to speak five words with my mind, in order that I may instruct other [people], than ten thousand words in a tongue. Brothers, do not become children in [your] understanding, but with respect to wickedness be as a child, and in [your] understanding be mature. In the law it is written: "By those who speak a foreign language and by the lips of others I will speak to this people, and not even in this way will they obey me," says the Lord. So then, tongues are for a sign not to those who believe, but to unbelievers, but prophecy [is] not for unbelievers, but for those who believe. Therefore, if the whole church comes together at the same [time] and all speak with tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are out of your minds? But if all prophesy, and some unbeliever or outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is judged by all, the secret things of his heart become evident, and so, falling on [his] face, he will worship God, proclaiming, "God is truly among you!" {Therefore what should you do}, brothers? Whenever you come together, each one of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. All [things] must be [done] for edification. If anyone speaks in a tongue, [it must be] on one occasion two or at most three, and {one after the other}, and one must interpret. But if there is no interpreter, he must be silent in the church, but let him speak to himself and to God. Let two or three prophets speak, and the others evaluate. And if [something] is revealed to another who is seated, the first must be silent. For you are all able to prophesy {in turn}, in order that all may learn and all may be encouraged, and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets. For God is not [a God of] disorder but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints, the women must be silent in the churches, for it is not permitted for them to speak, but they must be in submission, just as the law also says. But if they want to learn something, let them ask their own husbands at home, for it is shameful for a woman to speak in church. Or has the word of God gone out from you, or has it come to you only? If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual, he should recognize that [the things] which I am writing to you are of the Lord. But if anyone ignores [this], he is ignored. So then, my brothers, desire to prophesy, and do not prevent speaking with tongues. But let all [things] be [done] decently and according to proper procedure.
Tongues (the gift) » The miraculous gift granted to some early Christians
and whom God has appointed in the church: first, apostles, second, prophets, third, teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helps, administrations, kinds of tongues.
Verse Concepts
ChurchAttending ChurchApostles, Function In Early ChurchAttitudes, to other peopleHealingHuman IgnoranceBeing OrganizedShepherds, As Church LeaderOrder In Pastoral CareSpiritual Gifts, Given To ChurchTeachersChristian TeachersAdministrationAnonymityPeople HelpingFirst OnesHealing Through DisciplesOther Miracles
Love never ends. But if [there are] prophecies, they will pass away. If [there are] tongues, they will cease. If [there is] knowledge, it will pass away.
to another {miraculous powers}, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing of spirits, to another kinds of tongues, to another interpretation of tongues.
Not all have gifts of healing, [do they]? Not all speak with tongues, [do they]? Not all interpret, [do they]?
For the one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God, because no one understands, but by the Spirit he speaks mysteries. But the one who prophesies speaks to people edification and encouragement and consolation. The one who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but the one who prophesies edifies the church. read more.
Now I want you all to speak with tongues, but even more that you may prophesy. The one who prophesies [is] greater than the one who speaks with tongues, unless he interprets, in order that the church may receive edification. But now, brothers, if I come to you speaking with tongues, how do I benefit you, unless I speak to you either with a revelation or with knowledge or with a prophecy or with a teaching? Likewise, the inanimate things which produce a sound, whether flute or lyre, if they do not produce a distinction in the tones, how will it be known what is played on the flute or on the lyre? For indeed, if the trumpet produces an indistinct sound, who will prepare for battle? And so you through the tongue, unless you produce a clear message, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air. There are probably so many kinds of languages in the world, and none without meaning. Therefore, if I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be a barbarian to the one who is speaking, and the one who is speaking [will be] a barbarian in my [judgment]. In this way also you, since you are zealous of spiritual [gifts], seek for the edification of the church, in order that you may abound. Therefore the one who speaks in a tongue must pray that he may interpret. For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays but my mind is unproductive. {Therefore what should I do}? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind. I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will also sing praise with my mind. For otherwise, if you praise in [your] spirit, how will the one who fills the place of the outsider say the "amen" at your thanksgiving, because he does not know what you are saying? For indeed you are giving thanks well, but the other person is not edified. I give thanks to God [that] I speak with tongues more than all of you, but in the church I prefer to speak five words with my mind, in order that I may instruct other [people], than ten thousand words in a tongue.
Now I want you all to speak with tongues, but even more that you may prophesy. The one who prophesies [is] greater than the one who speaks with tongues, unless he interprets, in order that the church may receive edification. But now, brothers, if I come to you speaking with tongues, how do I benefit you, unless I speak to you either with a revelation or with knowledge or with a prophecy or with a teaching? Likewise, the inanimate things which produce a sound, whether flute or lyre, if they do not produce a distinction in the tones, how will it be known what is played on the flute or on the lyre? For indeed, if the trumpet produces an indistinct sound, who will prepare for battle? And so you through the tongue, unless you produce a clear message, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air. There are probably so many kinds of languages in the world, and none without meaning. Therefore, if I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be a barbarian to the one who is speaking, and the one who is speaking [will be] a barbarian in my [judgment]. In this way also you, since you are zealous of spiritual [gifts], seek for the edification of the church, in order that you may abound. Therefore the one who speaks in a tongue must pray that he may interpret. For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays but my mind is unproductive. {Therefore what should I do}? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind. I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will also sing praise with my mind. For otherwise, if you praise in [your] spirit, how will the one who fills the place of the outsider say the "amen" at your thanksgiving, because he does not know what you are saying? For indeed you are giving thanks well, but the other person is not edified. I give thanks to God [that] I speak with tongues more than all of you, but in the church I prefer to speak five words with my mind, in order that I may instruct other [people], than ten thousand words in a tongue.
In the law it is written: "By those who speak a foreign language and by the lips of others I will speak to this people, and not even in this way will they obey me," says the Lord. So then, tongues are for a sign not to those who believe, but to unbelievers, but prophecy [is] not for unbelievers, but for those who believe. Therefore, if the whole church comes together at the same [time] and all speak with tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are out of your minds? read more.
But if all prophesy, and some unbeliever or outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is judged by all, the secret things of his heart become evident, and so, falling on [his] face, he will worship God, proclaiming, "God is truly among you!" {Therefore what should you do}, brothers? Whenever you come together, each one of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. All [things] must be [done] for edification. If anyone speaks in a tongue, [it must be] on one occasion two or at most three, and {one after the other}, and one must interpret. But if there is no interpreter, he must be silent in the church, but let him speak to himself and to God.
But if all prophesy, and some unbeliever or outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is judged by all, the secret things of his heart become evident, and so, falling on [his] face, he will worship God, proclaiming, "God is truly among you!" {Therefore what should you do}, brothers? Whenever you come together, each one of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. All [things] must be [done] for edification. If anyone speaks in a tongue, [it must be] on one occasion two or at most three, and {one after the other}, and one must interpret. But if there is no interpreter, he must be silent in the church, but let him speak to himself and to God.
So then, my brothers, desire to prophesy, and do not prevent speaking with tongues.