Book of Common Prayer

14 ¹ Be pursuing^[a] love.

Be Zealous For Spiritual Gifts, But Especially To Prophesy And Edify The Church

Now be zealous-for the spiritual gifts, but even-more^[b] that you might be prophesying. ² For the one speaking in a tongue is not speaking^[c] to people, but to God— for no one hears^[d], but he speaks mysteries^[e] with his spirit^[f]. ³ But the one prophesying is speaking edification and exhortation and consolation^[g] to people. ⁴ The one speaking in a tongue is edifying himself ^[h], but the one prophesying is edifying the church. ⁵ And I wish^[i] that you all were speaking in tongues, but even-more^[j] that you might be prophesying. But^[k] the one prophesying is greater^[l] than one speaking in tongues— unless^[m] he interprets in order that the church may receive edification.

Speaking In Tongues Is Just Speaking Into The Air Unless It Is Understood

⁶ But now^[n], brothers, if I come to you speaking^[o] in tongues, what will I profit you unless I speak to you either^[p] by^[q] a revelation or by knowledge or by a prophecy or by a teaching? ⁷ Likewise the lifeless things giving a sound— whether a flute or harp— if it does not give a distinction in the tones, how will the thing being fluted or the thing being harped be known? ⁸ For indeed, if a trumpet gives an uncertain sound, who will prepare himself for battle? ⁹ So also you with the tongue— if you do not give a clear word, how will the thing being spoken be known? For you will be speaking into the air! ¹⁰ There are perhaps so-many kinds of spoken sounds^[r] in the world, and none is meaningless. ¹¹ If then I do not know the force of the spoken sound, I will be a barbarian to the one speaking, and the one speaking a barbarian with me. ¹² So also^[s] you— since you are zealots^[t] for spiritual gifts, be seeking that you may abound for the edification of the church.

So In Church, Tongues Must Be Interpreted If The Hearers Are To Be Edified

¹³ Therefore let the one speaking in a tongue pray in order that he might interpret. ¹⁴ For if I am praying in a tongue, my spirit^[u] is praying, but my mind^[v] is unfruitful^[w]. ¹⁵ What then^[x] is to be done? I will pray with the spirit, and^[y] I will also pray with the mind. I will sing-praise with the spirit, and I will also sing-praise with the mind. ¹⁶ Otherwise, if you are blessing^[z] with your spirit^[aa] [only], how will the one filling the place of the uninstructed^[ab] say the “Amen” at your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying? ¹⁷ For you are giving-thanks well^[ac]— but the other person is not being edified. ¹⁸ I give-thanks to God I speak in tongues more than all of you. ¹⁹ But in church^[ad], I want to speak five words with my mind in order that I might also instruct others, rather than ten-thousand words in a tongue.

Jesus Again Teaches His Disciples That He Must Die And Be Raised

³⁰ And having gone forth from there, they were passing through Galilee. And He was not wanting anyone to know it. ³¹ For He was teaching His disciples, and saying to them that “The Son of Man is being handed-over into the hands of men. And they will kill Him. And having been killed, He will rise-up after three days”. ³² But the ones were not-understanding the statement, and they were fearing to question Him.

The Disciples Argue About Who Is The Greatest. Jesus Says, To Be First You Must Be Last

³³ And they came to Capernaum. And having come-to-be in the house, He was questioning them, “What were you discussing on the way?” ³⁴ But the ones were being silent. For on the way they argued with one another who was greater^[a]. ³⁵ And having sat-down, He called the twelve. And He says to them, “If anyone wants to be first, he shall^[b] be last of all, and servant of all”.

Whoever Welcomes a Child In My Name Welcomes Me

³⁶ And having taken a child, He stood him^[c] in the middle of them. And having taken him in His arms, He said to them, ³⁷ “Whoever welcomes one such-as-these children^[d] on the basis of My name, welcomes Me. And whoever welcomes Me does not [merely] welcome Me, but the One having sent Me forth”.

John Recalls an Instance When The Disciples Did Not Welcome Someone

³⁸ John said to Him, “Teacher, we saw someone casting-out demons in Your name. And we were forbidding him because he was not following us”. ³⁹ But Jesus said, “Do not be forbidding him. For there is no one who will do a miracle on the basis of My name, and soon be able to speak-evil-of Me. ⁴⁰ For he who is not against^[e] us is for us. ⁴¹ For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in the name that you are Christ’s— truly I say to you that he will by no means lose his reward.