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

Pursue love, and desire 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 he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries.

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

But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men.

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

He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he 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.

I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification. Tongues Must Be Interpreted

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 with tongues, what shall I profit you unless I speak to you either by revelation, by knowledge, by prophesying, or by 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?

Even things without life, whether flute or harp, when they make a sound, unless they make a distinction in the sounds, how will it be known what is piped or played?

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

For if the trumpet makes an uncertain sound, who will prepare 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 likewise you, unless you utter by the tongue words easy to understand, 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, it may be, so many kinds of languages in the world, and none of them is without significance.

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.

Therefore, if I do not know the meaning of the language, I shall be a foreigner to him who speaks, and he who speaks will be a foreigner 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.

Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel.

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

Therefore let him 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 understanding 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 conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding.

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 with the spirit, how will he who occupies the place of the uninformed say “Amen” at your giving of thanks, since he does not understand what you say?

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

For you indeed give thanks well, but the other is not edified.

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

I thank my God I speak with 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.

yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue. Tongues a Sign to Unbelievers

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 understanding; however, in malice be babes, but in understanding 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: “With men of other tongues and other lips I will speak to this people; And yet, for all that, they will not hear 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.

Therefore tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophesying is not for unbelievers but for 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 comes together in one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those who are uninformed or unbelievers, will they not say that you are out of your mind?

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 uninformed person comes in, he is convinced by all, he is convicted 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.

And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed; and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God and report that God is truly among you. Order in Church Meetings

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.

How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, 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, let there be two or at the most three, each in turn, and let one 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, let him keep silent in 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 judge.

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

But if anything is revealed to another who sits by, let the first 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, that all may learn and all may be encouraged.

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

And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the 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 the author 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.

Let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, 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.

And if they want to learn something, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is shameful for women to speak in church.

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

Or did the word of God come originally from you? Or was it you only that it reached?

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 himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord.

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

But if anyone is ignorant, let him be ignorant.

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

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

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

Let all things be done decently and in order.