1 F ollow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.

Pursue love, yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.

2 F or he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.

For one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God; for no one understands, but in his spirit he speaks mysteries.

3 B ut he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.

But one who prophesies speaks to men for edification and exhortation and consolation.

4 H e that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.

One who speaks in a tongue edifies himself; but one who prophesies edifies the church.

5 I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.

Now I wish that you all spoke in tongues, but even more that you would prophesy; and greater is one who prophesies than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may receive edifying.

6 N ow, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?

But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking in tongues, what will I profit you unless I speak to you either by way of revelation or of knowledge or of prophecy or of teaching?

7 A nd even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?

Yet even lifeless things, either flute or harp, in producing a sound, if they do not produce a distinction in the tones, how will it be known what is played on the flute or on the harp?

8 F or if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?

For if the bugle produces an indistinct sound, who will prepare himself for battle?

9 S o likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air.

So also you, unless you utter by the tongue speech that is clear, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air.

10 T here are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification.

There are, perhaps, a great many kinds of languages in the world, and no kind is without meaning.

11 T herefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me.

If then I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be to the one who speaks a barbarian, and the one who speaks will be a barbarian to me.

12 E ven so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.

So also you, since you are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek to abound for the edification of the church.

13 W herefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.

Therefore let one who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret.

14 F or if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth but my understanding is unfruitful.

For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.

15 W hat is it 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.

What is the outcome then? I will pray with the spirit and I will pray with the mind also; I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also.

16 E lse when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest?

Otherwise if you bless in the spirit only, how will the one who fills the place of the ungifted say the “Amen” at your giving of thanks, since he does not know what you are saying?

17 F or thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.

For you are giving thanks well enough, but the other person is not edified.

18 I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:

I thank God, I speak in tongues more than you all;

19 y et in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.

however, in the church I desire to speak five words with my mind so that I may instruct others also, rather than ten thousand words in a tongue. Instruction for the Church

20 B rethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.

Brethren, do not be children in your thinking; yet in evil be infants, but in your thinking be mature.

21 I n the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord.

In the Law it is written, “ By men of strange tongues and by the lips of strangers I will speak to this people, and even so they will not listen to Me,” says the Lord.

22 W herefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.

So then tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophecy is for a sign, not to unbelievers but to those who believe.

23 I f therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?

Therefore if the whole church assembles together and all speak in tongues, and ungifted men or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are mad?

24 B ut if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all:

But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an ungifted man enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all;

25 a nd thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.

the secrets of his heart are disclosed; and so he will fall on his face and worship God, declaring that God is certainly among you.

26 H ow is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.

What is the outcome then, brethren? When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.

27 I f any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.

If anyone speaks in a tongue, it should be by two or at the most three, and each in turn, and one must interpret;

28 B ut if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.

but if there is no interpreter, he must keep silent in the church; and let him speak to himself and to God.

29 L et the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.

Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others pass judgment.

30 I f any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.

But if a revelation is made to another who is seated, the first one must keep silent.

31 F or ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.

For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all may be exhorted;

32 A nd the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.

and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets;

33 F or God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

for God is not a God of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.

34 L et your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law.

The women are to keep silent in the churches; for they are not permitted to speak, but are to subject themselves, just as the Law also says.

35 A nd if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.

If they desire to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is improper for a woman to speak in church.

36 W hat? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?

Was it from you that the word of God first went forth? Or has it come to you only?

37 I f any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.

If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual, let him recognize that the things which I write to you are the Lord’s commandment.

38 B ut if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.

But if anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized.

39 W herefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.

Therefore, my brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak in tongues.

40 L et all things be done decently and in order.

But all things must be done properly and in an orderly manner.