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1 Corinthians 14:5

Verse 5 of 40. The 14th of 16 chapters in 1 Corinthians, in The Letters of Paul.

1Follow after love and earnestly desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.

2For he who speaks in another language speaks not to men, but to God, for no one understands, but in the Spirit he speaks mysteries.

3But he who prophesies speaks to men for their edification, exhortation, and consolation.

4He who speaks in another language edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the assembly.

5Now I desire to have you all speak with other languages, but even more that you would prophesy. For he is greater who prophesies than he who speaks with other languages, unless he interprets, that the assembly may be built up.

6But now, brothers, if I come to you speaking with other languages, what would I profit you unless I speak to you either by way of revelation, or of knowledge, or of prophesying, or of teaching?

7Even lifeless things that make a sound, whether pipe or harp, if they didn’t give a distinction in the sounds, how would it be known what is piped or harped?

8For if the trumpet gave an uncertain sound, who would prepare himself for war?

9So also you, unless you uttered by the tongue words easy to understand, how would it be known what is spoken? For you would be speaking into the air.

Read 1 Corinthians 14

World English Bible. Public domain. Set as prose throughout, including the poetry, because the text is published to us without its lines.