CHAPTER 14
The gift of prophesying is to be preferred before that of speaking strange tongues.
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OLLOW after charity, be zealous for spiritual gifts; but rather that you may prophesy.
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For he that speaketh in a tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man heareth. Yet by the Spirit he speaketh mysteries.
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But he that prophesieth speaketh to men unto edification and exhortation and comfort.
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He that speaketh in a tongue edifieth himself: but he that prophesieth, edifieth the church.
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And I would have you all to speak with tongues, but rather to prophesy. For greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues: unless perhaps he interpret, that the church may receive edification.
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But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, unless I speak to you either in revelation or in knowledge or in prophecy or in doctrine?
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Even things without life that give sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction of sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?
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For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?
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So likewise you, except you utter by the tongue plain speech, how shall it be known what is said? For you shall be speaking into the air.
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There are, for example, so many kinds of tongues in this world: and none is without voice.
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If then I know not the power of the voice, I shall be to him to whom I speak a barbarian: and he that speaketh a barbarian to me.
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So you also, forasmuch as you are zealous of spirits, seek to abound unto the edifying of the church.
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And therefore he that speaketh by a tongue, let him pray that he may interpret.
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For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prayeth: but my understanding is without fruit.
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What is it then? 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.
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Else, if thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that holdeth the place of the unlearned say, Amen, to thy blessing? Because he knoweth not what thou sayest.
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For thou indeed givest thanks well: but the other is not edified.
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I thank my God I speak with all your tongues.
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But in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may instruct others also: than ten thousand words in a tongue.
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Brethren, do not become children in sense. But in malice be children: and in sense be perfect.
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In the law it is written: In other tongues and other lips I will speak to this people: and neither so will they hear me, saith the Lord.
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Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to believers but to unbelievers: but prophecies, not to unbelievers but to believers.
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If therefore the whole church come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in unlearned persons or infidels, will they not say that you are mad?
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But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not or an unlearned person, he is convinced of all: he is judged of all.
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The secrets of his heart are made manifest. And so, falling down on his face, he will adore God, affirming that God is among you indeed.
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How is it then, brethren? When you come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a revelation, hath a tongue, hath an interpretation: let all things be done to edification.
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If any speak with a tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and in course: and let one interpret.
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But if there be no interpreter, let him hold his peace in the church and speak to himself and to God.
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And let the prophets speak, two or three: and let the rest judge.
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But if any thing be revealed to another sitting, let the first hold his peace.
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For you may all prophesy, one by one, that all may learn and all may be exhorted.
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And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.
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For God is not the God of dissension, but of peace: as also I teach in all the churches of the saints.
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Let women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted them to speak but to be subject, as also the law saith.
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But if they would learn anything, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is a shame for a woman to speak in the church.
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Or did the word of God come out from you? Or came it only unto you?
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If any seem to be a prophet or spiritual, let him know the things that I write to you, that they are the commandments of the Lord.
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But if any man know not, he shall not be known.
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Wherefore, brethren, be zealous to prophesy: and forbid not to speak with tongues.
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But let all things be done decently and according to order.