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1 Corinthians chapter 14

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Chapter
1
Pursue love, yet desire earnestly spiritual [gifts], but especially that you may prophesy.
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For one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God; for no one understands, but in [his] spirit he speaks mysteries.
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But one who prophesies speaks to men for edification and exhortation and consolation.
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One who speaks in a tongue edifies himself; but one who prophesies edifies the church.
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Now I wish that you all spoke in tongues, but [even] more that you would prophesy; and greater is one who prophesies than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may receive edifying.
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But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking in tongues, what will I profit you unless I speak to you either by way of revelation or of knowledge or of prophecy or of teaching?
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Yet [even] lifeless things, either flute or harp, in producing a sound, if they do not produce a distinction in the tones, how will it be known what is played on the flute or on the harp?
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For if the bugle produces an indistinct sound, who will prepare himself for battle?
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So also you, unless you utter by the tongue speech that is clear, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air.
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There are, perhaps, a great many kinds of languages in the world, and no [kind] is without meaning.
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If then I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be to the one who speaks a barbarian, and the one who speaks will be a barbarian to me.
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So also you, since you are zealous of spiritual [gifts], seek to abound for the edification of the church.
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Therefore let one who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret.
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For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.
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What is [the outcome] then? I will pray with the spirit and I will pray with the mind also; I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also.
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Otherwise if you bless in the spirit [only], how will the one who fills the place of the ungifted say the "Amen " at your giving of thanks, since he does not know what you are saying?
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For you are giving thanks well enough, but the other person is not edified.
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I thank God, I speak in tongues more than you all;
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however, in the church I desire to speak five words with my mind so that I may instruct others also, rather than ten thousand words in a tongue.
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Brethren, do not be children in your thinking; yet in evil be infants, but in your thinking be mature.
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In the Law it is written, "BY MEN OF STRANGE TONGUES AND BY THE LIPS OF STRANGERS I WILL SPEAK TO THIS PEOPLE, AND EVEN SO THEY WILL NOT LISTEN TO ME," says the Lord.
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So then tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophecy [is for a sign], not to unbelievers but to those who believe.
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Therefore if the whole church assembles together and all speak in tongues, and ungifted men or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are mad?
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But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an ungifted man enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all;
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the secrets of his heart are disclosed; and so he will fall on his face and worship God, declaring that God is certainly among you.
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What is [the outcome] then, brethren? When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.
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If anyone speaks in a tongue, [it should be] by two or at the most three, and [each] in turn, and one must interpret;
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but if there is no interpreter, he must keep silent in the church; and let him speak to himself and to God.
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Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others pass judgment.
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But if a revelation is made to another who is seated, the first one must keep silent.
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For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all may be exhorted;
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and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets;
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for God is not [a God] of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.
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The women are to keep silent in the churches; for they are not permitted to speak, but are to subject themselves, just as the Law also says.
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If they desire to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is improper for a woman to speak in church.
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Was it from you that the word of God [first] went forth? Or has it come to you only?
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If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual, let him recognize that the things which I write to you are the Lord's commandment.
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But if anyone does not recognize [this], he is not recognized.
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Therefore, my brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak in tongues.
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But all things must be done properly and in an orderly manner.
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