1 Corinthians 14:1-12 reading
1 Corinthians 14:1-12
[1]It is love, then, that you should strive for. Set your hearts on spiritual gifts, especially the gift of proclaiming God’s message.
[2]Those who speak in strange tongues do not speak to others but to God, because no one understands them. They are speaking secret truths by the power of the Spirit.
[3]But those who proclaim God’s message speak to people and give them help, encouragement, and comfort.
[4]Those who speak in strange tongues help only themselves, but those who proclaim God’s message help the whole church.
[5]I would like all of you to speak in strange tongues; but I would rather that you had the gift of proclaiming God’s message. For the person who proclaims God’s message is of greater value than the one who speaks in strange tongues — unless there is someone present who can explain what is said, so that the whole church may be helped.
[6]So when I come to you, my brothers and sisters, what use will I be to you if I speak in strange tongues? Not a bit, unless I bring you some revelation from God or some knowledge or some inspired message, or some teaching.
[7]Take such lifeless musical instruments as the flute or the harp — how will anyone know the tune that is being played unless the notes are sounded distinctly?
[8]And if the one who plays the bugle does not sound a clear call, who will prepare for battle?
[9]In the same way, how will anyone understand what you are talking about if your message given in strange tongues is not clear? Your words will vanish in the air!
[10]There are many different languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning.
[11]But if I do not know the language being spoken, those who use it will be foreigners to me and I will be a foreigner to them.
[12]Since you are eager to have the gifts of the Spirit, you must try above everything else to make greater use of those which help to build up the church.