New Testament in a Year
14 1 He commendeth the gifts of prophecying: 7 and by a similitude taken of musical instruments, 12 he teacheth the true use of interpreting the Scriptures: 17 he taketh away the abuse: 34 And forbiddeth women to speak in the Congregation.
1 Follow [a]after love, and covet spiritual gifts, and rather that ye may [b]prophesy.
2 [c]For he that speaketh a strange [d]tongue, speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man heareth him: howbeit in the [e]spirit he speaketh secret things.
3 But he that prophesieth, speaketh unto men to [f]edifying, and to exhortation, and to comfort.
4 He that speaketh strange language, edifieth himself: but he that prophesieth, edifieth the [g]Church.
5 I would that ye all spake strange languages, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth, than he that speaketh diverse tongues, except he expound it, that the Church may receive edification.
6 And now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking diverse tongues, what shall I profit you, except I speak to you, either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?
7 [h]Moreover things without life which give a sound, whether it be a pipe or an harp, except they make a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?
8 And also if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to battle?
9 So likewise you, by the tongue, except ye utter words that have [i]signification, how shall it be understood what is spoken? for ye shall speak in the air.
10 [j]There are so many kinds of voices (as it cometh to pass) in the world, and none of them is dumb.
11 Except I know then the power of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a Barbarian, and he that [k]speaketh, shall be a Barbarian unto me.
12 [l]Even so, forasmuch as ye covet spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel unto the edifying of the Church.
13 Wherefore, let him that speaketh a strange tongue, [m]pray that he may interpret.
14 [n]For [o]if I pray in a strange tongue, my [p]spirit prayeth: but mine understanding is [q]without fruit.
15 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, but I will pray with the [r]understanding also: I will sing with the spirit: but I will sing with the understanding also.
16 [s]Else, when thou blessest with the [t]spirit, how shall he that [u]occupieth the room of the unlearned, say [v]Amen, at thy giving of thanks, seeing he knowest not what thou sayest?
17 For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.
18 [w]I thank my God, I speak languages more than ye all.
19 Yet had I rather in the Church to speak [x]five words with mine understanding, that I might also instruct others, than ten thousand words in a strange tongue.
20 [y]Brethren, be not (A)children in understanding, but as concerning maliciousness be children, but in understanding be of a ripe age.
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