1 Cultivate social virtue;
then desire spiritual gifts, but
chiefly that of explaining the
prophetical writings.
2 for he
that speaks in an unknown
tongue, speaks not to men, but
to God: for no man can understand
the mysteries he delivers
by the spirit.
3 but he that
expounds, speaks to the edification,
exhortation, and comfort
of men.
4 he that speaks in
an unknown tongue, edifies
himself alone: but he that expounds,
edifies the church.
5 I wish you all had the gift of
languages, but rather that you
expounded: for greater is he
that expounds, than he that
speaks unknown languages, except
he interpret what he says,
-- --
that the church may be edified
by it.
6 for instance, brethren, if
I deliver myself to you in an
unknown tongue, what good
shall I do you, except I deliver
to you the meaning of what is
said, whether it relate to revelation,
to mystical knowledge,
to prophecy, or to doctrine.
7 And even inanimate instruments
of sound, whether pipe
or harp, except they have a
distinct variety of notes, how
can they express any significant
tune?
8 for if the trumpet give
an undistinguish'd sound, who
shall prepare himself to the battle?
9 in like manner, if you express
yourselves in words of obscure
signification, you may as well
talk to the wind, for how shall
any comprehend you?
10 there
are, it may be, as many different
languages in the world as
there are people, and none
of them without signification.
11 therefore if I don't know the
meaning of the language, with
respect to him that speaks, I
shall be a barbarian; and he
that speaks shall be a barbarian
to me.
12 But since there is emulation
among you concerning spiritual
gifts, seek to abound in the exercise
of such gifts as tend most
to the edification of the church.
13 wherefore let him that speaketh
in an unknown tongue, pray for
the gift of interpretation.
14 for
-- --
if I pray in an unknown
tongue, my spirit indeed prays,
but my meaning is of no benefit to
others.
15 what then is to be done?
why, I will pray by the spirit,
but my prayer shall be intelligible:
I will sing by the spirit,
but my hymn shall be intelligible.
16 otherwise if you should
give thanks by the spirit in an
unknown tongue, the hearer
cannot but appear unlearned
upon this occasion; how then
can he say Amen to thy thanksgiving?
since he does not conceive
what you say.
17 thy thanksgiving
indeed is right, but the
other is not all edified by it.
18 I thank God, I speak more
languages than you all:
19 yet in
the church I had rather speak
five words that convey my
meaning to the instruction of
others, than ten thousand
words in an unknown tongue.
20 Brethren, be not childish in
understanding: be as innocent
as babes, but use your understanding
like men.
21 in the law
it is written, “ note with men of
other tongues and other lips,
will I speak unto this people:
and yet for all that
will they not hear me, saith
the Lord.”
22 wherefore
tongues are for a sign, not to
believers, but to unbelievers:
but expounding the prophets,
not for unbelievers so much as
-- --
for those who believe.
23 when
therefore the whole church is
assembled, and all speak different
languages, if such as are
either unlearned, or are unbelievers
should come in, will
they not say you are all mad?
24 but if you all expound, and an
unbeliever, or one unlearned
come in, he is examin'd by all,
he is tryed by all:
25 the secrets
of his heart become manifest;
and so falling down on his face,
he will worship God, and declare
that God is certainly amongst
you.
26 what is then to
be done, my brethren? when
you come together, one of you
with a psalm, another with a
doctrine, another with a
strange tongue, another with a
revelation, another with an
interpretation: let the whole
be done to edification.
27 and if
any man do speak in an unknown
tongue, let but two
speak, or three at the most,
and that by turns: and let
there be but one to interpret.
28 but if there be no interpreter,
let him keep silence in the
church; and tacitly address
himself to God.
29 of the prophets
let but two or three speak
by turns, and let the others deliberate.
30 if the meaning be revealed
to another that sits by,
let the first be silent.
31 for ye
may all prophesy one by one,
that all may receive instruction
-- --
and exhortation.
32 the prophetic
gifts are to be subservient
to the prophets.
33 for God is
not the God of confusion, but
of peace, in all christian assemblies.
34 Let your women be silent in
your assemblies: for they are
not allowed to discourse there;
but are to observe orders, as indeed note
the law implies:
35 and if
they desire to have information
about any point, let them consult
their husbands at home:
for it does not become women to
ask questions in the church.
36 What, did the gospel take
its rise from you? or was it
communicated to you alone?
37 if any one pretends to be a prophet,
or to spiritual gifts, let
him be assured that the rules
which I have here prescrib'd,
are the commandments of the
Lord.
38 but if he will be blind,
I leave him to his blindness.
39 wherefore, brethren, zealously
exercise the gift of prophecy,
and don't prohibit those that
speak in an unknown language.
40 let all things be done with decency,
and without disorder.
Mace [1729], THE NEW TESTAMENT IN Greek and English. Containing the ORIGINAL TEXT Corrected from the Authority of the most Authentic Manuscripts: AND A NEW VERSION Form'd agreeably to the Illustrations of the most Learned Commentators and Critics: WITH NOTES and VARIOUS READINGS, AND A Copious Alphabetical Index (Printed for J. ROBERTS [etc.], LONDON) [word count] [B11200].