The Koine Bible

Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.

The one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God, for no one understands, but in spirit he speaks mysteries.

The one who prophesies speaks to people for edification and encouragement and consolation.

The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself; but the one who prophesies builds up the church.

But I want all of you to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, except if someone interprets, so

Now, brothers, if I come to you speaking in tongues, what will I benefit you if I do not speak to you either in revelation or in knowledge or in prophecy or in teaching?

Now if the lifeless things that produce sound, whether flute or harp, do not give distinction to the tones, how will what is played on the flute or the harp be recognized?

For if the trumpet gives an indistinct sound, who will prepare for battle?

So also you, if you do not give a clear meaning through the tongue, how will what is spoken be known? For you will be speaking into the air.

There are so many kinds of voices in the world, and none is without sound.

If then I do not know the meaning of the voice, I will be to the one speaking a barbarian, and the one speaking will be a barbarian to me.

So also you, since you are zealous for spirits, seek to excel for the building up of the church.

Therefore, the one speaking in a tongue should pray to interpret.

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

What then is it? I will pray with the spirit, but I will also pray with the mind; I will sing with the spirit, but I will also sing with the mind.

For if you bless in the Spirit, how will the one who fills the place of the unlearned say Amen to your thanksgiving, since he does not understand what you say?

For you indeed give thanks well, but the other person is not built up.

I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you.

But in the church I want to speak five words with my mind so that I may instruct others also, rather than ten thousand words in a tongue.

Brothers, do not be children in your thinking, but be infants in evil, and in your thinking be mature.

It is written in the law, I will speak to this people in other tongues and on the lips of others, and even then they will not listen to me, says the Lord.

So tongues are a sign not for those who believe but for those who do not believe, while prophecy is not for those who do not believe but for those who believe.

If then the whole church gathers together in one place and all speak in tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are out of your mind?

But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an untrained person enters, they are convicted by all, examined by all,

The secrets of his heart are revealed, and thus falling on his face he will worship God, declaring that truly God is among you.

What then is it, brothers? When you come together, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation; let all things be done for building up.

If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at most three, each in turn, and let one interpret.

But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in the church, and let him speak to himself and to God.

Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others evaluate.

But if a revelation is given to another sitting there, the first should be silent.

For you are able all to prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all may be encouraged.

And the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets,

For God is not a God of disorder but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.

Let the women keep silent in the churches, for it is not permitted for them to speak; but let them be in submission, as the law also says.

But if they want to learn something, let them ask their own husbands at home, for it is shameful for a woman to speak in the church.

Or did the word of God come out from you, or has it come to you only?

If anyone thinks they are a prophet or spiritual, let them recognize that what I write to you is the Lord’s.

But if anyone is ignorant, let him be ignorant.

Therefore, my brothers, desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.

But all things must be done properly and in order.