1. Follow after love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.
2. For he who speaks in an unknown tongue does not speak to men, but to God: for no one understands him; but in the spirit he speaks mysteries.
3. But he who prophesies speaks to men for edification, and encouragement, and comfort.
4. He who speaks in an unknown tongue edifies himself; but he who prophesies edifies the church.
5. I would like you all to speak with tongues, but even more to prophesy: for greater is he that prophesies than he that speaks with tongues, unless he interprets, that the church may receive edifying.
6. Now, brethren, if I come to you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, unless I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by instruction?
7. And even lifeless things giving sounds, whether pipe or harp, unless they give distinct sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?
8. For if the trumpet gives an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself for the battle?
9. So likewise you, unless you speak with the tongue words easy to understand, how shall it be known what is spoken? For you shall speak into the air.
10. There are, it may be, so many kinds of sounds in the world, and none of them is without meaning.
11. Therefore if I do not know the meaning of the sound, I shall be to him that speaks a foreigner, and he that speaks shall be a foreigner to me.
12. Even so you, to the extent that you are zealous for spiritual gifts, seek to excel in edifying the church.
13. Therefore let him that speaks in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.
14. For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding does not bear fruit.
15. What then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.
16. Otherwise when you shall bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupies the position of the unlearned say Amen at your giving of thanks, seeing that he does not understand what you say?
17. For you truly give thanks well, but the other is not edified.
18. I thank my God that I speak with tongues more than you all:
19. Yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.
20. Brethren, do not be children in understanding: however in malice you should be children, but in understanding you should be men.
21. In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak to this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, says the Lord.
22. Therefore tongues are a sign, not to those who believe, but to those who do not believe: but prophesying is not intended for those who do not believe, but for those who believe.
23. If therefore the whole church comes together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those who are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that you are mad?
24. But if all prophesy, and there comes in one who does not believe, or one unlearned, he is convicted by all, he is judged by all:
25. And thus are the secrets of his heart made known; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is truly in you.
26. How is it then, brethren? When you come together, every one of you has a hymn, a teaching, a tongue, a revelation, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for edifying.
27. If anyone speaks in an unknown tongue, let it be two, or at most three, and that one after another; and let one interpret.
28. But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.
29. Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge.
30. If anything is revealed to another who sits by, let the first hold his peace.
31. For you may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.
32. And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.
33. For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
34. Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted for them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also says the law.
35. And if they desire to learn anything, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.
36. What? Did the word of God come out from you? Or did it come only to you?
37. If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write to you are the commandments of the Lord.
38. But if anyone is ignorant, let him be ignorant.
39. Therefore, brethren, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking with tongues.
40. Let all things be done decently and in order.