Prophecy: A Superior Gift

14 Pursue love and desire spiritual gifts, and above all that you may prophesy.

³ But the person who prophesies speaks to people for edification, encouragement, and consolation. ⁴ The person who speaks in another language builds himself up, but he who prophesies builds up the church. ⁵ I wish all of you spoke in other languages, but even more that you prophesied. The person who prophesies is greater than the person who speaks in languages, unless he interprets so that the church may be built up.

⁶ But now, brothers, if I come to you speaking in other languages, how will I benefit you unless I speak to you with a revelation^(A) or knowledge or prophecy or teaching?

²² It follows that speaking in other languages is intended as a sign,^[a] not for believers but for unbelievers. But prophecy is not for unbelievers but for believers. ²³ Therefore, if the whole church assembles together and all are speaking in other languages and people who are uninformed or unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your minds? ²⁴ But if all are prophesying and some unbeliever or uninformed person comes in, he is convicted by all and is judged by all. ²⁵ The secrets of his heart will be revealed, and as a result he will fall facedown and worship God, proclaiming, “God is really among you.”^(A)

Order in Church Meetings

²⁶ What then is the conclusion, brothers? Whenever you come together, each one^[b] has a psalm, a teaching, a revelation, another language, or an interpretation.^(B) All things must be done for edification. ²⁷ If any person speaks in another language, there should be only two, or at the most three, each in turn, and someone must interpret. ²⁸ But if there is no interpreter, that person should keep silent in the church and speak to himself and to God. ²⁹ Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should evaluate.^{(C) 30} But if something has been revealed to another person sitting there, the first prophet should be silent. ³¹ For you can all prophesy one by one, so that everyone may learn and everyone may be encouraged.^{(D) 32} And the prophets’ spirits are under the control of the prophets, ³³ since God is not a God of disorder but of peace.

As in all the churches of the saints,^{(E) 34} the women^[c] should be silent in the churches,^(F) for they are not permitted to speak, but should be submissive, as the law also says. ³⁵ And if they want to learn something, they should ask their own husbands^(G) at home, for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church meeting. ³⁶ Did the word of God originate from you, or did it come to you only?

³⁷ If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual, he should recognize that what I write to you is the Lord’s command. ³⁸ But if anyone ignores this, he will be ignored.^{[d] 39} Therefore, my brothers, be eager^(H) to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in other languages.

¹¹ And He personally gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers,