1 Corinthians 14:13-26

New King James Version

¹³ Therefore let him who speaks in a tongue pray that he may ^(A)interpret. ¹⁴ For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. ¹⁵ What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. ^(B)I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing ^(C)with the understanding. ¹⁶ Otherwise, if you bless with the spirit, how will he who occupies the place of the uninformed say “Amen” ^(D)at your giving of thanks, since he does not understand what you say? ¹⁷ For you indeed give thanks well, but the other is not edified.

¹⁸ I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all; ¹⁹ yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue.

Tongues a Sign to Unbelievers

²⁰ Brethren, ^(E)do not be children in understanding; however, in malice ^(F)be babes, but in understanding be mature.

^21 (G)In the law it is written:

says the Lord.

²² Therefore tongues are for a ^(I)sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophesying is not for unbelievers but for those who believe. ²³ Therefore if the whole church comes together in one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those who are uninformed or unbelievers, ^(J)will they not say that you are ^[a]out of your mind? ²⁴ But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an uninformed person comes in, he is convinced by all, he is convicted by all. ^25 [b]And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed; and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God and report ^(K)that God is truly among you.

Order in Church Meetings

²⁶ How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, ^(L)has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. ^(M)Let all things be done for ^[c]edification.