Chapter
14
Follow after love, and earnestly desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.
For she who speaks in another language speaks not to women, but to God; for no one understands; but in the Spirit she speaks mysteries.
But she who prophesies speaks to women for their edification, exhortation, and consolation.
She who speaks in another language edifies herself, but she who prophesies edifies the assembly.
Now I desire to have you all speak with other languages, but rather that you would prophesy. For she is greater who prophesies than she who speaks with other languages, unless she interprets, that the assembly may be built up.
But now, sisters, if I come to you speaking with other languages, what would I profit you, unless I speak to you either by way of revelation, or of knowledge, or of prophesying, or of teaching?
Even things without life, giving a voice, whether pipe or harp, if they didn't give a distinction in the sounds, how would it be known what is piped or harped?
For if the trumpet gave an uncertain sound, who would prepare herself for war?
So also you, unless you uttered by the tongue words easy to understand, how would it be known what is spoken? For you would be speaking into the air.
There are, it may be, so many kinds of sounds in the world, and none of them is without meaning.
If then I don't know the meaning of the sound, I would be to her who speaks a foreigner, and she who speaks would be a foreigner to me.
So also you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, seek that you may abound to the building up of the assembly.
Therefore let her who speaks in another language pray that she may interpret.
For if I pray in another language, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.
What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also. I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.
Otherwise if you bless with the spirit, how will she who fills the place of the unlearned say the "Amen" at your giving of thanks, seeing she doesn't know what you say?
For you most certainly give thanks well, but the other person is not built up.
I thank my God, I speak with other languages more than you all.
However in the assembly I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I might instruct others also, than ten thousand words in another language.
Sisters, don't be children in thoughts, yet in malice be babies, but in thoughts be mature.
In the law it is written, "By women of strange languages and by the lips of strangers I will speak to this people. Not even thus will they hear me, says the Domina."
Therefore other languages are for a sign, not to those who believe, but to the unbelieving; but prophesying is for a sign, not to the unbelieving, but to those who believe.
If therefore the whole assembly is assembled together and all speak with other languages, and unlearned or unbelieving people come in, won't they say that you are crazy?
But if all prophesy, and someone unbelieving or unlearned comes in, she is reproved by all, and she is judged by all.
And thus the secrets of her heart are revealed. So she will fall down on her face and worship God, declaring that God is among you indeed.
What is it then, sisters? When you come together, each one of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has another language, has an interpretation. Let all things be done to build each other up.
If any woman speaks in another language, let it be two, or at the most three, and in turn; and let one interpret.
But if there is no interpreter, let her keep silent in the assembly, and let her speak to herself, and to God.
Let the prophets speak, two or three, and let the others discern.
But if a revelation is made to another sitting by, let the first keep silent.
For you all can prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be exhorted.
The spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets,
for God is not a God of confusion, but of peace. As in all the assemblies of the saints,
let your husbands keep silent in the assemblies, for it has not been permitted for them to speak; but let them be in subjection, as the law also says.
If they desire to learn anything, let them ask their own wives at home, for it is shameful for a man to chatter in the assembly.
What? Was it from you that the word of God went out? Or did it come to you alone?
If any woman thinks herself to be a prophetess, or spiritual, let her recognize the things which I write to you, that they are the commandment of the Domina.
But if anyone is ignorant, let her be ignorant.
Therefore, sisters, desire earnestly to prophesy, and don't forbid speaking with other languages.
Let all things be done decently and in order.