Prophecy and Tongues

1Pursue love; and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy. 2For he that speaks in a tongue speaks not to men, but to God; for no one understands; but in the spirit he speaks mysteries. 3But he that prophesies speaks to men to edification and exhortation and comfort. 4He that speaks in a tongue edifies himself; but he that prophesies edifies the assembly. 5Now I wish you all to speak with tongues, but rather that ye should prophesy; and greater is he that prophesies than he that speaks with tongues, unless he interpret, that the assembly may receive edifying.

6And now, brethren, if I come to you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, unless I speak to you, either in revelation, or in knowledge, or in prophesying, or in teaching? 7Even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, if they give no distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped? 8For even if a trumpet give an uncertain sound, who will prepare for war? 9So also ye, unless through the tongue ye give intelligible speech, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye will be speaking into the air! 10There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and no one of them is without signification. 11If, then, I know not the meaning of the voice, I will be to him who is speaking a barbarian; and he that is speaking, a barbarian to me. 12So also ye, since ye are eager for spiritual gifts, seek that ye may abound in them with a view to the edification of the assembly.

13Wherefore, let him that speaks in a tongue, pray that he may interpret. 14For, if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. 15What 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. 16Else, if you are blessing with the spirit, how will he who fills the place of the unlearned say the "Amen" at your giving of thanks, since he knows not what you say? 17For you, verily, give thanks well, but the other is not edified. 18I thank God, I speak with tongues more than you all; 19but in an assembly I prefer to speak five words with my understanding, that I may instruct others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue.

20Brethren, do not be children in mind; yet in evil be babes, but in mind be full-grown. 21In the law it has been written, "With other tongues, and with lips of others, I will speak to this people; and not even thus will they listen to Me," saith the Lord. 22Therefore, the tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe, but to the unbelieving; but prophecy is a sign, not to the unbelieving, but to those who believe. 23If, therefore, the whole assembly comes together, and all are speaking with tongues, and there come in those who are unlearned or unbelieving, will they not say that ye are mad? 24But, if all prophesy, and there come in one who is unbelieving or unlearned, he is convicted by all, he is judged by all: 25the secrets of his heart are made manifest; and so, falling on his face, he will worship God, reporting that, in reality, God is among you.

Orderly Worship

26What is it, then, brethren? When ye come together, each one of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edification. 27If any one speaks in a tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and in turn; and let one interpret; 28but, if there is no interpreter, let him keep silence in the assembly, and let him speak to himself and to God. 29And let the prophets, two or three, speak, and the others judge. 30But, if a revelation be made to another sitting by, let the first keep silence; 31for ye all can prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all be exhorted. 32And spirits of prophets are subject to prophets; 33for God is not a God of confusion, but of peace, as in all the assemblies of the saints.

34Let the wives keep silence in the assemblies; for it is not permitted them to speak, but let them be in subjection, as also says the law. 35And, if they wish to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is a shame for a wife to speak in an assembly. 36Or from you did the word of God go forth? Or did it come to you alone?

37If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge the things that I write to you, that they are the Lord's commandment; 38but, if any is ignorant, let him be ignorant.

39So then, my brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues. 40But let all things be done decently and in order.