1 Cherish love, and be earnestly desirous of spiritual gifts, but rather that you may prophesy.
2 For he that speaks with a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but in spirit he speaks mysteries;
3 but he that prophesies speaks to men to edification and exhortation and consolation.
4 He that speaks with a tongue edifies himself; but he that prophesies edifies an assembly.
5 I wish you all to speak with tongues, but rather that you should prophesy; and he that prophesies is greater than he that speaks with tongues, unless he interprets, that the assembly may receive edification.
6 But now, brothers, if I come to you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, unless I speak to you by a revelation, or by a knowledge, or by a prophecy, or by a doctrine?
7 So of irrational objects making a sound, whether a flute or harp; if it makes no distinction of sounds, how shall it be known what is played on the flute or harp?
8 For also if the trumpet gives an uncertain sound, who will prepare himself for the battle?
9 So also you by a tongue if you utter a word not easily understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for you will speak to the air.
10 There are perhaps as many kinds of voices in the world, and no one is without significance;
11 if therefore I do not know the meaning of the voice, I shall be to him that speaks a barbarian, and he that speaks will be a barbarian to me.
12 So also you, since you are earnestly desirous of spirits [spiritual gifts], seek to abound for the edification of the church.
13 Let him therefore that speaks with a tongue pray that he may interpret,
14 For if I pray with a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.
15 What then is [to be done]? I will pray with the spirit, I will pray also with the understanding; I will sing with the spirit, I will sing also with the understanding;
16 since if you bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupies the place of the unlearned say, Amen, to your thanksgiving, since he knows not what you say?
17 For you indeed give thanks well; but the other is not edified.
18 I thank God I speak with a tongue more than you all;
19 but in an assembly I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may also teach others, than ten thousand words in a tongue.
20 Brothers, be not children in understanding, but in malice be children, and in understanding be perfect men.
21 For it is written in the law, With other tongues, and with other lips will I speak to this people, and so they shall not understand me, says the Lord.
22 Tongues therefore are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers, but prophecy is not for unbelievers but for believers.
23 If, therefore, the whole church comes together, and all speak with tongues, and there come in the unlearned and unbelieving, will they not say that you are mad?
24 But if all prophesy, and there comes in an unbeliever or an unlearned man, he is convinced by all, he is examined by all,
25 and the secrets of his heart are made manifest, and so falling down on his face he worships God, declaring that God is really among you.
26 What then is [to be done] brothers? When you come together, each one of you has a psalm, has a doctrine, has a revelation, has an interpretation; let all things be done for edification.
27 If any one speaks with a tongue, let it be by two or at most by three, and by turns, and let one interpret;
28 and if there is no interpreter, let him be silent in the assembly, and let him speak to himself and to God.
29 Let two or three prophets speak, and let the rest judge;
30 but if any thing is revealed to another sitting by, let the first be silent.
31 For you can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all be comforted.
32 And the spirits of prophets are subject to the prophets;
33 for God is not [the friend] of disorder but of peace.
34 As in all the churches of the saints, let your women keep silence in the assemblies; for it is not permitted to them to speak, but to be in subjection, as the law also says.
35 But if they wish to learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home; for it is a shame for a woman to speak in an assembly.
36 Did the word of God go out from you, or did it come to you alone?
37 If any one thinks he is a prophet, or a spiritual man, let him acknowledge the [things] which I write to you, that they are the Lord's;
38 but if any one is ignorant, let him be ignorant.
39 Therefore, brothers, desire earnestly to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues;
40 but let all things be done becomingly and in order.