1 Corinthians 14 :: Revised Standard Version (RSV)

Prophecy a Superior Gift

1Co 14:1Make love your aim, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy.

1Co 14:2For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit.

1Co 14:3

1Co 14:3On the other hand, he who prophesies speaks to men for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation.

1Co 14:4

1Co 14:4He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.

1Co 14:5

1Co 14:5Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. He who prophesies is greater than he who speaks in tongues, unless some one interprets, so that the church may be edified.

1Co 14:6

1Co 14:6Now, brethren, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how shall I benefit you unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching?

1Co 14:7

1Co 14:7If even lifeless instruments, such as the flute or the harp, do not give distinct notes, how will any one know what is played?

1Co 14:8

1Co 14:8And if the bugle gives an indistinct sound, who will get ready for battle?

1Co 14:9

1Co 14:9So with yourselves; if you in a tongue utter speech that is not intelligible, how will any one know what is said? For you will be speaking into the air.

1Co 14:10

1Co 14:10There are doubtless many different languages in the world, and none is without meaning;

1Co 14:11

1Co 14:11but if I do not know the meaning of the language, I shall be a foreigner to the speaker and the speaker a foreigner to me.

1Co 14:12

1Co 14:12So with yourselves; since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church.

1Co 14:13

1Co 14:13Therefore, he who speaks in a tongue should pray for the power to interpret.

1Co 14:14

1Co 14:14For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays but my mind is unfruitful.

1Co 14:15

1Co 14:15What am I to do? 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.

1Co 14:16

1Co 14:16Otherwise, if you bless with the spirit, how can any one in the position of an outsider say the "Amen" to your thanksgiving when he does not know what you are saying?

1Co 14:17

1Co 14:17For you may give thanks well enough, but the other man is not edified.

1Co 14:18

1Co 14:18I thank God that I speak in tongues more than you all;

1Co 14:19

1Co 14:19nevertheless, in church I would rather speak five words with my mind, in order to instruct others, than ten thousand words in a tongue.

Instruction for the Church

1Co 14:20

1Co 14:20Brethren, do not be children in your thinking; be babes in evil, but in thinking be mature.

1Co 14:21

1Co 14:21In the law it is written, "By men of strange tongues and by the lips of foreigners will I speak to this people, and even then they will not listen to me, says the Lord."

1Co 14:22

1Co 14:22Thus, tongues are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers, while prophecy is not for unbelievers but for believers.

1Co 14:23

1Co 14:23If, therefore, the whole church assembles and all speak in tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are mad?

1Co 14:24

1Co 14:24But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all,

1Co 14:25

1Co 14:25the secrets of his heart are disclosed; and so, falling on his face, he will worship God and declare that God is really among you.

1Co 14:26

1Co 14:26What then, brethren? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.

1Co 14:27

1Co 14:27If any speak in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in turn; and let one interpret.

1Co 14:28

1Co 14:28But if there is no one to interpret, let each of them keep silence in church and speak to himself and to God.

1Co 14:29

1Co 14:29Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said.

1Co 14:30

1Co 14:30If a revelation is made to another sitting by, let the first be silent.

1Co 14:31

1Co 14:31For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged;

1Co 14:32

1Co 14:32and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets.

1Co 14:33

1Co 14:33For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints,

1Co 14:34

1Co 14:34the women should keep silence in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be subordinate, as even the law says.

1Co 14:35

1Co 14:35If there is anything they desire to know, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church.

1Co 14:36

1Co 14:36What! Did the word of God originate with you, or are you the only ones it has reached?

1Co 14:37

1Co 14:37If any one thinks that he is a prophet, or spiritual, he should acknowledge that what I am writing to you is a command of the Lord.

1Co 14:38

1Co 14:38If any one does not recognize this, he is not recognized.

1Co 14:39

1Co 14:39So, my brethren, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues;

1Co 14:40

1Co 14:40but all things should be done decently and in order.

Downloaded from the Oxford Text Archive and used with permission. The following header is required to be posted:

Source: Transcribed from: The Holy Bible: Revised Standard Version containing the Old and New Testaments, translated from the original tongues: being the version set forth A.D. 1611, revised A.D. 1881-1885 and A.D. 1901: compared with the most ancient authorities and revised A.D. 1946-52. — 2nd ed. of New Testament A.D. 1971. There should be enough in the rest of the description to identify the text.

Language: English

Availability: Freely available for non-commercial use provided that this header is included in its entirety with any copy distributed.

1 Corinthians 14 :: Revised Standard Version (RSV)

Prophecy a Superior Gift

Instruction for the Church

Pericope