Letters to the Churches

But he that prophesieth speaketh to men unto edification and exhortation and comfort.

He that speaketh in a tongue edifieth himself: but he that prophesieth, edifieth the church.

And I would have you all to speak with tongues, but rather to prophesy. For greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues: unless perhaps he interpret, that the church may receive edification.

But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, unless I speak to you either in revelation or in knowledge or in prophecy or in doctrine?

Even things without life that give sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction of sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?

For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?

So likewise you, except you utter by the tongue plain speech, how shall it be known what is said? For you shall be speaking into the air.

There are, for example, so many kinds of tongues in this world: and none is without voice.

If then I know not the power of the voice, I shall be to him to whom I speak a barbarian: and he that speaketh a barbarian to me.

So you also, forasmuch as you are zealous of spirits, seek to abound unto the edifying of the church.

And therefore he that speaketh by a tongue, let him pray that he may interpret.

For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prayeth: but my understanding is without fruit.

What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, I will pray also with the understanding, I will sing with the spirit, I will sing also with the understanding.

Else, if thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that holdeth the place of the unlearned say, Amen, to thy blessing? Because he knoweth not what thou sayest.

For thou indeed givest thanks well: but the other is not edified.

I thank my God I speak with all your tongues.

But in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may instruct others also: than ten thousand words in a tongue.

Brethren, do not become children in sense. But in malice be children: and in sense be perfect.

In the law it is written: In other tongues and other lips I will speak to this people: and neither so will they hear me, saith the Lord.

Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to believers but to unbelievers: but prophecies, not to unbelievers but to believers.

If therefore the whole church come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in unlearned persons or infidels, will they not say that you are mad?

But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not or an unlearned person, he is convinced of all: he is judged of all.

The secrets of his heart are made manifest. And so, falling down on his face, he will adore God, affirming that God is among you indeed.

How is it then, brethren? When you come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a revelation, hath a tongue, hath an interpretation: let all things be done to edification.

If any speak with a tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and in course: and let one interpret.