1 Corinthians 14  21st Century King James Version

14 Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather so that ye may prophesy.

² For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God, for no man understandeth him, however it may be that in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.

³ But he that prophesieth, speaketh unto men for edification and exhortation and comfort.

⁴ He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself, but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.

⁵ I would that ye all spoke with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied; for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, unless he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.

⁶ Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, unless I shall speak to you either by revelation or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?

⁷ And even things without life, making sounds, whether pipe or harp, unless they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?

⁹ So likewise you, unless ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken, for ye shall be speaking into the air?

¹⁰ There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification.

¹¹ Therefore, if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me.

¹² Even so ye, inasmuch as ye are zealous to possess spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.

¹³ Therefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.

¹⁴ For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.

¹⁵ 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.

¹⁶ Else, when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say “Amen” at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest?

¹⁷ For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.

¹⁸ I thank my God that I speak with tongues more than ye all.

¹⁹ Yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.

²⁰ Brethren, be not children in understanding. Nonetheless, in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.

²¹ In the law it is written: “With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that they will not hear Me,” saith the Lord.

²² Therefore tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe, but to those who believe not; but prophesying serveth not those who believe not, but those who believe.

²³ If therefore the whole church come together into one place and all speak with tongues, and there come in those who are unlearned or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?

²⁴ But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not or is unlearned, he is convinced by all and is judged by all,

²⁵ and thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God and report that God is in you in truth.

²⁶ How is it then, brethren? When ye come together every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.

²⁷ If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two or at the most by three, and then in turn, and let one interpret.

²⁸ But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church, and let him speak to himself and to God.

²⁹ Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge.

³⁰ If anything be revealed to another who sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.

³¹ For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be comforted.

³² The spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets,

³³ for God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as it is in all churches of the saints.

³⁴ Let your women keep silence in the churches, for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law.

³⁵ And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home, for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.

³⁶ What? Did the Word of God come out from you? Or did it come unto you only?

³⁷ If any man think himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.

³⁸ But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.

³⁹ Therefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak in tongues.

⁴⁰ Let all things be done decently and in order.