Living_Oracles(i)
1 Pursue love, and earnestly desire spiritual gifts; but especially that you may prophesy.
2 For he who speaks in a foreign language, speaks not to men, but to God; for no one understands him: nevertheless, by the Spirit he speaks secrets.
3 But he who prophesies, speaks to men for edification, and exhortation, and consolation.
4 He who speaks in a foreign language, edifies himself: but he who prophesies, edifies the congregation.
5 I wish, indeed, that you all spoke in foreign languages; but rather that you prophesied: for greater is he who prophesies, than he who speaks in foreign languages, unless, indeed, he interpret, that the congregation may receive edification.
6 For now, brethren, if I should come to you speaking in foreign languages, what shall I profit you, unless I shall speak to you intelligibly; either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophecy, or by doctrine?
7 In like manner, things without life, giving sound; whether pipe, or harp; unless they give a difference to the notes, how shall it be known what is piped, or harped?
8 And, therefore, if the trumpet give and unintelligible sound, who will prepare himself for battle?
9 So, also, you, unless with the tongue you give intelligible speech, how shall it be known what is spoken? Therefore, you will be speaking to the air.
10 There are, perhaps, so many kinds of languages in the world, and none of them is without signification.
11 Yet, if I do not know the meaning of the language, I shall be to him who speaks, a foreigner; and he who speaks, will be a foreigner to me.
12 Wherefore, you, also, since you are earnestly desirous of spiritual gifts, seek them, that you may abound for the edification of the congregation.
13 For which cause, let him who prays in a foreign language, pray that he may interpret.
14 For if I pray in a foreign language, my spirit prays; but my understanding is unfruitful.
15 What, then, is to be done? I will pray with the Spirit, but I will pray also with understanding: I will sing with the Spirit; but I will sing also with understanding.
16 Else, when you shall bless with the spirit, how shall he who fills up the place of the unlearned, say the Amen to your thanksgiving, since he knows not what you say?
17 For you, indeed, give thanks well; but the other is not edified.
18 I give thanks to God, speaking in more foreign languages than all of you;
19 yet, in the congregation, I would rather speak five sentences with my meaning understood, that I may instruct others, also, than ten thousand sentences in a foreign language.
20 Brethren, be not children in understanding; but in evil be children, and in understanding be full grown men.
21 In the law it is written, "Surely, with other tongues, and with other lips, I will speak to this people; yet not even then will they hearken to me, says the Lord."
22 So that foreign languages are for a sign; not to believers, but to unbelievers: but prophecy is for a sign; not to unbelievers, but to believers.
23 If, then, the whole congregation be come together in one place, and all speak in foreign languages; and there come in unlearned persons, or unbelievers, will they not say that you are mad?
24 But if all prophesy, and there come in an unbeliever, or an unlearned person, he is corrected by all, he is examined by all;
25 the hidden things of his heart are made manifest: and so, falling on his face, he will worship God, publishing that God is actually among you.
26 What is it, then, brethren? When you are come together, each of you has a psalm, has a discourse, has a foreign language, has a revelation, has an interpretation! Let all things be done to edification.
27 And if any one speak in a foreign language, let it be by two, or at most by three sentences, and separately; and let one interpret.
28 But if there be no interpreter, let him be silent in the congregation; yet let him speak to himself and to God.
29 Now, let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge.
30 But, if to another, sitting by, anything be revealed, let the first be silent.
31 For you all can prophesy, one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.
32 For the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.
33 Besides, God is not the author of confusion, but of peace. As in all the assemblies of the saints,
34 let your women be silent in the congregations: for it has not been permitted to them to speak, but they must be in subjection; as the law also commands.
35 And if they wish to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands, at home: for it is an indecent thing for women to speak in the congregation.
36 What! went the word of God forth from you? or did it come to you only?
37 If any one be really a prophet, or spiritual person, let him acknowledge the things I write to you, that they are the commandments of the Lord.
38 And if any one be ignorant, let him be ignorant.
39 Wherefore, brethren, earnestly desire to prophesy; and hinder not to speak in foreign languages.
40 Let all things be done decently and in order.