1 Corinthians 14 - Amplified Bible(AMP)

Prophecy a Superior Gift

1Pursue love, yet earnestly desire and cultivate the spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.

2For one who speaks in an unknown tongue does not speak to people but to God; for no one understands him or catches his meaning, but by the Spirit he speaks mysteries.

3But the one who prophesies speaks to people for edification and encouragement and consolation.

4One who speaks in a tongue edifies himself; but one who prophesies edifies the church.

5Now I wish that all of you spoke in unknown tongues, but even more that you would prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless he translates or explains, so that the church may be edified.

6Now, believers, if I come to you speaking in unknown tongues, how will I benefit you unless I also speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophecy, or by instruction?

7Yet even lifeless things, whether flute or harp, when producing a sound, if they do not produce distinct tones, how will anyone know what is piped or played?

8And if the bugle produces an indistinct sound, who will prepare himself for battle?

9So it is with you, if you speak words that are not intelligible and clear, how will anyone understand what you are saying? You will be talking into the air!

10There are, I suppose, a great many kinds of languages in the world, and none is lacking in meaning.

11But if I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be a foreigner to the one who is speaking, and the one who is speaking will be a foreigner to me.

12So it is with you, since you are so very eager to have spiritual gifts and manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in ways that will build up the church.

13Therefore let one who speaks in a tongue pray that he may translate or explain.

14For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unproductive.

15Then what am I to do? I will pray with the spirit and I will pray with the mind; I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind.

16Otherwise if you bless in the spirit only, how will any outsider or someone who is not gifted say the “Amen” to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying?

17You are giving thanks well enough, but the other person is not edified.

18I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you;

19nevertheless, in public worship I would rather say five understandable words in order to instruct others, than ten thousand words in a tongue.

Instruction for the Church

20Brothers and sisters, do not be children in your thinking; be infants in evil, but in your minds be mature.

21It is written in the Law, “By men of strange tongues and by the lips of foreigners I will speak to this people, and not even then will they listen to Me,” says the Lord.

22Therefore, tongues are for a sign, not to believers but to unbelievers; while prophecy is not for unbelievers but for believers.

23So then, if the whole church gathers together and all of you speak in tongues, and outsiders or those who are not gifted or unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind?

24But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or outsider comes in, he is convicted by all, and he is called to account by all;

25the secrets of his heart are laid bare. And so, falling on his face, he will worship God, declaring that God is really among you.

26What then is the right course, believers? When you meet together, each one has a psalm, a teaching, a revelation (disclosure of special knowledge), a tongue, or an interpretation. Let everything be constructive and edifying and done for the good of all the church.

27If anyone speaks in a tongue, it should be limited to two or at the most three, and each one speaking in turn, and one must interpret.

28But if there is no one to interpret, the one must keep silent in church; let him speak to himself and to God.

29Let two or three prophets speak, while the rest pay attention and weigh carefully what is said.

30But if an inspired revelation is made to another who is seated, then the first one must be silent.

31For you can all prophesy one by one, so that everyone may be instructed and everyone may be encouraged;

32for the spirits of prophets are subject to the prophets;

33for God is not a God of confusion and disorder but of peace and order.

As in all the churches of the saints (God’s people),

34the women should be silent in the churches, for they are not authorized to speak, but are to take a subordinate place, as the Law says.

35If there is anything they want to learn, they are to ask their own husbands at home; for it is improper for a woman to talk in church.

36Did the word of the Lord originate from you, or has it come to you only?

37If anyone thinks and claims that he is a prophet or spiritually astute, let him recognize that the things which I write to you are the Lord’s commandment.

38If anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized.

39Therefore, believers, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in unknown tongues.

40But all things must be done appropriately and in an orderly manner.