1 Corinthians 14:1-5

The Voice

14 So in everything strive to love. Passionately seek the gifts of the Spirit, especially the gift of prophecy. ² You see, a person speaking in an unknown language is not addressing the church because he is really addressing God—those who overhear don’t understand because he is speaking in the Spirit the depths of the mysteries of the Lord. ³ But a person who has the gift of prophecy teaches in a way that builds up the community, draws them near, and comforts them. ⁴ Those who speak in an unknown language only strengthen themselves, but those who prophesy strengthen the community. ⁵ While I’d like for you all to be able to speak by the Spirit in unknown languages, my preference would be for you all to prophesy by the Spirit. Those who speak prophetically are God’s mouthpiece and are far more useful to the church than those who speak in exotic languages—unless there is another who interprets so that the community may be strengthened.