Prophecy and Tongues

1Follow after divine love; and seek the spiritual gifts, but rather that you may prophesy. 2For the one speaking with a tongue speaks not to men, but to God; for no one hears him; but he speaks mysteries in the spirit: 3but the one prophesying speaks to men edification, exhortation, and comfort. 4The one speaking with a tongue edifies himself; but the one prophesying edifies the church. 5But I wish you all to speak with tongues, but rather that you may prophesy: but greater is the one prophesying, than the one speaking with tongues, unless he may interpret, in order that the church may receive edification.

6But now, brethren, if I may come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, unless I shall speak to you either in revelation, or knowledge, or prophecy, or in instruction? 7Nevertheless things without life, giving forth a voice, whether pipe or harp, if it may not give a distinction to the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped, or what is harped? 8For if indeed the trumpet may give an uncertain sound, who will prepare himself for the war? 9Thus also if you through the tongue may give an indistinct word, how will that which is spoken be known? for you will be speaking into the air. 10If it so happens that there are so many kinds of voices in the world, and nothing without a voice; 11if then I do not understand the power of the voice, I will be a barbarian to the one speaking, and the one speaking will be a barbarian to me. 12So also you, since you are zealots of spirits, seek that you may abound unto the edification of the church.

13Therefore let the one speaking with a tongue, pray that one may interpret. 14For if I pray with a tongue, my spirit is praying, but my mind is not fruitful. 15Then what is it? I will pray with my spirit, and I will pray with my mind also: I will sing with my spirit, and I will sing with my mind also. 16Since if you may bless with the spirit, how will one occupying the place of the unlearned say Amen to your blessing? since he does not know what you are saying. 17For you indeed bless beautifully, but the other is not edified. 18I thank God, I speak with tongue more than you all: 19but I would rather speak five words in the church with my understanding, so that I may indeed teach others, than ten thousand words in a tongue.

20Brethren, be not children in intellect: but be infants in evil, but be perfect in intellect. 21It has been written in the law; I will speak to this people with other tongues and with the lips of others; and thus they will not hearken unto me, says the Lord. 22So tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe, but to the unbelievers: and prophecy is not for the unbelievers, but for the believers. 23Then if the whole church may come together, and all may speak with tongues, and the unlearned or unbelievers may come in, will they not say that you are gone mad? 24But if all may prophesy, and some unbeliever or unlearned person may come in, he is convicted by all, he is discerned by all; 25the secrets of his heart are made manifest; and thus falling upon his face he will worship God, proclaiming that God is truly in you.

Orderly Worship

26Then what is it, brethren? When you may come together, each one has a psalm, has a lesson, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done to edification. 27If one speaks with a tongue, let it he by twos, or at most by threes, and separately; and let one interpret; 28but if there may be no interpreter, let him keep silent in the church; but let him speak to himself, and to God. 29But let two or three prophets speak, and let the others give audience; 30but if something may be revealed to another sitting down, let the first be silent. 31For you are all able to prophesy one by one, in order that all may learn, and all may be comforted. 32Truly the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets; 33for he is not a God of confusion, but of peace. So in all the churches of the saints,

34let the women be silent in the churches: for it is not permitted to them to talk; but let them be subordinate, as the law also says. 35But if they wish to learn something, let them ask their own husbands at home: for it is disgraceful for a woman to talk in church. 36Whether did the word of God come out from you? or has it reached unto you alone?

37If any one seems to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him understand the things which I write to you, that they are of the Lord; 38but if any one ignores, he is ignored.

39So, my brethren, be zealous to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues; 40but let all things be done decently and in order.