1 P ursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.

Follow after love, and be emulous of spiritual, but rather that ye may prophesy.

2 F or 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.

For he that speaks with a tongue does not speak to men but to God: for no one hears; but in spirit he speaks mysteries.

3 B ut he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men.

But he that prophesies speaks to men edification, and encouragement, and consolation.

4 H e who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.

He that speaks with a tongue edifies himself; but he that prophesies edifies assembly.

5 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

Now I desire that ye should all speak with tongues, but rather that ye should prophesy. But greater is he that prophesies than he that speaks with tongues, unless he interpret, that the assembly may receive edification.

6 B ut 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?

And now, brethren, if I come to you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, unless I shall speak to you either in revelation, or in knowledge, or in prophecy, or in teaching?

7 E ven 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?

Even lifeless things giving a sound, whether pipe or harp, if they give not distinction to the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?

8 F or if the trumpet makes an uncertain sound, who will prepare for battle?

For also, if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself for war?

9 S o 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.

Thus also ye with the tongue, unless ye give a distinct speech, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye will be speaking to the air.

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

There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of undistinguishable sound.

11 T herefore, 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.

If therefore I do not know the power of the sound, I shall be to him that speaks a barbarian, and he that speaks a barbarian for me.

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

Thus ye also, since ye are desirous of spirits, seek that ye may abound for the edification of the assembly.

13 T herefore let him who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret.

Wherefore let him that speaks with a tongue pray that he may interpret.

14 F or if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.

For if I pray with a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.

15 W hat 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.

What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, but I will pray also with the understanding; I will sing with the spirit, but I will sing also with the understanding.

16 O therwise, 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?

Since otherwise, if thou blessest with spirit, how shall he who fills the place of the simple say Amen, at thy giving of thanks, since he does not know what thou sayest?

17 F or you indeed give thanks well, but the other is not edified.

For thou indeed givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.

18 I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all;

I thank God I speak in a tongue more than all of you:

19 y et 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

but in assembly I desire to speak five words with my understanding, that I may instruct others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue.

20 B rethren, do not be children in understanding; however, in malice be babes, but in understanding be mature.

Brethren, be not children in minds, but in malice be babes; but in minds be grown.

21 I n 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.

It is written in the law, By people of other tongues, and by strange lips, will I speak to this people; and neither thus will they hear me, saith the Lord.

22 T herefore tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophesying is not for unbelievers but for those who believe.

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

23 T herefore 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?

If therefore the whole assembly come together in one place, and all speak with tongues, and simple enter in, or unbelievers, will not they say ye are mad?

24 B ut if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an uninformed person comes in, he is convinced by all, he is convicted by all.

But if all prophesy, and some unbeliever or simple come in, he is convicted of all, he is judged of all;

25 A nd 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

the secrets of his heart are manifested; and thus, falling upon face, he will do homage to God, reporting that God is indeed amongst you.

26 H ow 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.

What is it then, brethren? whenever ye come together, each has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done to edification.

27 I f anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at the most three, each in turn, and let one interpret.

If any one speak with a tongue, two, or at the most three, and separately, and let one interpret;

28 B ut if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in church, and let him speak to himself and to God.

but if there be no interpreter, let him be silent in assembly, and let him speak to himself and to God.

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

And let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge.

30 B ut if anything is revealed to another who sits by, let the first keep silent.

But if there be a revelation to another sitting, let the first be silent.

31 F or you can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be encouraged.

For ye can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all be encouraged.

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

And spirits of prophets are subject to prophets.

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

For God is not of disorder but of peace, as in all the assemblies of the saints.

34 L et 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.

Let women be silent in the assemblies, for it is not permitted to them to speak; but to be in subjection, as the law also says.

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

But if they wish to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is a shame for a woman to speak in assembly.

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

Did the word of God go out from you, or did it come to you only?

37 I f 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.

If any one thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him recognise the things that I write to you, that it is Lord's commandment.

38 B ut if anyone is ignorant, let him be ignorant.

But if any be ignorant, let him be ignorant.

39 T herefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues.

So that, brethren, desire to prophesy, and do not forbid the speaking with tongues.

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

But let all things be done comelily and with order.