INTRO TO THE READING
Reader: God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s
weakness is stronger than human strength.
(1 Corinthians 1:25)
All: Let our faith not rest on human wisdom, but on the power of
God. (1 Corinthians 2:5)
SCRIPTURE READING
1 Corinthians 14:1-12
Gifts of Prophecy and Tongues
1 Pursue love and strive for the spiritual gifts and especially that you may
prophesy. 2 For those who speak in a tongue do not speak to other people
but to God, for no one understands them, since they are speaking
mysteries in the Spirit. 3 But those who prophesy speak to other people
for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation. 4 Those who
speak in a tongue build up themselves, but those who prophesy build up
the church. 5 Now I would like all of you to speak in tongues but even
more to prophesy. One who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in
tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up.
6 Now, brothers and sisters, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how
will I benefit you unless I speak to you in some revelation or knowledge
or prophecy or teaching?
7 It is the same way with lifeless instruments that produce sound, such as
the flute or the harp. If they do not give distinct notes, how will what is
being played on the flute or harp be recognized? 8 And if the bugle gives
an indistinct sound, who will get ready for battle? 9 So with yourselves:
If in a tongue you utter speech that is not intelligible, how will anyone
know what is being said? For you will be speaking into the air. 10 There
are doubtless many different kinds of sounds in the world, and nothing is
without sound. 11 If then I do not know the meaning of a sound, I will be
a foreigner to the speaker and the speaker a foreigner to me. 12 So with
yourselves: since you are striving after spiritual gifts, seek to excel in
them for building up the church.
Reader: Word of God. Word of life.
All: Thanks be to God.