For example, there are so many different words in the world, and not a single one of them is without meaning. But if I do not understand the meaning of words, then I am a stranger to him who speaks, and he who speaks to me is a stranger. In the same way, being zealous for spiritual gifts, try to be enriched with them for the edification of the church. Therefore, if you speak in an unknown language, pray for the gift of interpretation. For when I pray in an unknown tongue, then although my spirit prays, my mind remains unfruitful. What to do? I will pray in spirit, and I will pray in mind; I will sing with my spirit, I will sing with my mind. For if you bless in the Spirit, how will he who stands in the place of a commoner say, "Amen" at your thanksgiving? For he does not understand what you are saying. You give thanks well, but the other is not edified. I thank my God: I speak with tongues more than all of you; but in church I would rather speak five words with my mind, in order to instruct others, than a thousand words in an unknown tongue.

1 Corinthians 14:6–19

Thursday, 9th Week

First Epistle to the Corinthians, conceived 156

Brethren, do not be children in mind: be babes in evil, but be of full age in mind. In the law it is written: "With other tongues and with other lips I will speak to this people; but even then they will not listen to Me, says the Lord. Therefore tongues are a sign, not to believers, but to unbelievers; prophecy is not for unbelievers, but for believers. If the whole church comes together, and all speak with unknown tongues, and those who do not know or do not believe come in to you, will they not say that you are possessed? But when everyone prophesies, and someone who does not believe or does not know comes in, then he is rebuked by all, he is judged by everyone. And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed, and he will fall on his face, worship God, and say, Truly God is with you.

1 Corinthians 14:20–25

Saturday 17th week

First Epistle to the Corinthians, conceived 157

Brethren, when you come together, and each one of you has a psalm, a teaching, a tongue, a revelation, an interpretation, let all this be for edification. If anyone speaks in an unknown language, speak two, or many three, and then separately, and one explain. If there is no interpreter, then be silent in church, and speak to yourself and to God. And let the prophets speak two or three, and let the rest reason. But if there is a revelation to another of those who are sitting, then the first shall be silent. For you can all prophesy, one by one, that all may learn and all may receive consolation. And the prophetic spirits are obedient to the prophets, because God is not a God of disorder, but of peace. This happens in all churches with saints. Let your wives be silent in the churches, for it is not lawful for them to speak, but to be in subjection, as the law also says. But if they want to learn anything, let them ask their husbands about it at home; for it is unseemly for a woman to speak in church. Did the word of God come out of you? Or did it reach you alone? If anyone considers himself a prophet or a spiritual man, let him understand that I am writing to you, for these are the commandments of the Lord. And whoever does not understand, let him not understand. Therefore, brethren, be zealous to prophesy, but do not forbid speaking with tongues; only everything must be decent and orderly.

1 Corinthians 14:26–40

Friday of the 9th week

First Epistle to the Corinthians, conceived 158

Brethren, I remind you of the gospel which I preached to you, which you have also received, in which you have also been established, by which you are also saved, if you hold on to what has been given as I preached the gospel to you, unless you believe in vain.

For I am the least of the Apostles, and I am not worthy to be called an Apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am; and His grace in me was not in vain, but I labored more than all of them: not I, however, but the grace of God, which is with me. Therefore I, or they, we preach thus, and ye have so believed.