Prophecy and Tongues
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Pursue love, and a desire spiritual gifts, b but especially that you may prophesy.
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For he who c speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries.
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But he who prophesies speaks d edification and e exhortation and comfort to men.
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He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.
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I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification.
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But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you unless I speak to you either by f revelation, by knowledge, by prophesying, or by teaching?
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Even things without life, whether flute or harp, when they make a sound, unless they make a distinction in the sounds, how will it be known what is piped or played?
8
For if the trumpet makes an uncertain sound, who will prepare for battle?
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So likewise you, unless you utter by the tongue words easy to understand, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air.
10
There are, it may be, so many kinds of languages in the world, and none of them is without significance.
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Therefore, if I do not know the meaning of the language, I shall be a foreigner to him who speaks, and he who speaks will be a foreigner to me.
12
Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel.
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Therefore let him who speaks in a tongue pray that he may g interpret.
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For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.
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What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. h I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing i with the understanding.
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Otherwise, if you bless with the spirit, how will he who occupies the place of the uninformed say "Amen" j at your giving of thanks, since he does not understand what you say?
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For you indeed give thanks well, but the other is not edified.
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I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all;
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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.
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Brethren, k do not be children in understanding; however, in malice l be babes, but in understanding be mature.
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m In the law it is written:
n "With men of other tongues and other lips
I will speak to this people;
And yet, for all that, they will not hear Me,"
says the Lord.
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Therefore tongues are for a o sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophesying is not for unbelievers but for those who believe.
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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, p will they not say that you are out of your mind?
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But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an uninformed person comes in, he is convinced by all, he is convicted by all.
25
And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed; and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God and report q that God is truly among you.
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Cross References
1 Corinthians 12:31
But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way.
1 Corinthians 14:39
Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues.
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Cross References
Numbers 11:25
Then the LORD came down in the cloud, and spoke to him, and took of the Spirit that was upon him, and placed the same upon the seventy elders; and it happened, when the Spirit rested upon them, that they prophesied, although they never did so again.
Numbers 11:29
Then Moses said to him, "Are you zealous for my sake? Oh, that all the LORD's people were prophets and that the LORD would put His Spirit upon them!
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Cross References
Acts 2:4
And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Acts 10:46
For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. Then Peter answered.
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Cross References
Romans 14:19
Therefore let us pursue the things which make f...
Romans 15:2
Let each of us please his neighbor for his good...
2 Corinthians 10:8
For even if I should boast somewhat more about ...
2 Corinthians 12:19
Again, do you think that we excuse ourselves to...
Ephesians 4:12
For the equipping of the saints for the work of...
Ephesians 4:29
Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, ...
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Cross References
1 Timothy 4:13
Till I come, give attention to reading, to exho...
2 Timothy 4:2
Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of ...
Titus 1:9
Holding fast the faithful word as he has been t...
Titus 2:15
Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all...
Hebrews 3:13
But exhort one another daily, while it is calle...
Hebrews 10:25
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves toget...
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Cross References
1 Corinthians 14:26
How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.
Ephesians 1:17
That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him.
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Cross References
1 Corinthians 12:10
To another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.
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Cross References
Ephesians 5:19
Speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.
Colossians 3:16
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
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Cross References
Psalms 47:7
For God is the King of all the earth; Sing praises with understanding.
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Cross References
Deuteronomy 27:15 - 26
'Cursed is the one who makes a carved or molded...
1 Chronicles 16:36
Blessed be the LORD God of Israel From everlast...
Nehemiah 5:13
Then I shook out the fold of my garment and sai...
Nehemiah 8:6
And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God. Then ...
Psalms 106:48
Blessed be the LORD God of Israel From everlast...
Jeremiah 11:5
"that I may establish the oath which I have swo...
Jeremiah 28:6
And the prophet Jeremiah said, "Amen! The LORD ...
1 Corinthians 11:24
And when He had given thanks, He broke it and s...
Revelation 5:14
Then the four living creatures said, "Amen!" An...
Revelation 7:12
Saying: "Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom, T...
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Cross References
Psalms 131:2
Surely I have calmed and quieted my soul, Like ...
Matthew 11:25
At that time Jesus answered and said, "I thank ...
Matthew 18:3
And said, "Assuredly, I say to you, unless you ...
Matthew 19:14
But Jesus said, "Let the little children come t...
Romans 16:19
For your obedience has become known to all. The...
1 Corinthians 3:1
And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to s...
Ephesians 4:14
That we should no longer be children, tossed to...
Hebrews 5:12
For though by this time you ought to be teacher...
Hebrews 5:13
For everyone who partakes only of milk is unski...
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Cross References
Matthew 18:3
And said, "Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.
1 Peter 2:2
As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby.
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Cross References
John 10:34
Jesus answered them, "Is it not written in your law, 'I said, "You are gods" ' ?
1 Corinthians 14:34
Let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the law also says.
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Cross References
Isaiah 28:11
For with stammering lips and another tongue He will speak to this people.
Isaiah 28:12
To whom He said, "This is the rest with which You may cause the weary to rest," And, "This is the refreshing"; Yet they would not hear.
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Cross References
Mark 16:17
And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues.
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Cross References
Acts 2:13
Others mocking said, "They are full of new wine.
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Cross References
Isaiah 45:14
Thus says the LORD: "The labor of Egypt and merchandise of Cush And of the Sabeans, men of stature, Shall come over to you, and they shall be yours; They shall walk behind you, They shall come over in chains; And they shall bow down to you. They will make supplication to you, saying, 'Surely God is in you, And there is no other; There is no other God.'
Daniel 2:47
The king answered Daniel, and said, "Truly your God is the God of gods, the Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, since you could reveal this secret.
Zechariah 8:23
"Thus says the LORD of hosts: 'In those days ten men from every language of the nations shall grasp the sleeve of a Jewish man, saying, "Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you." '"
Acts 4:13
Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus.
New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.