001 Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.
002 For 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.
003 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.
004 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.
005 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.
006 Now, 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?
007 And 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?
008 For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?
009 So 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.
010 There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification.
011 Therefore 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.
012 Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.
013 Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.
014 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.
015 What 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.
016 Else 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?
017 For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.
018 I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:
019 Yet 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.
020 Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.
021 In 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.
022 Wherefore 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.
023 If 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?
024 But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all:
025 And 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.
026 How 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.
027 If 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.
028 But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.
029 Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.
030 If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.
031 For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.
032 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.
033 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
034 Let 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.
035 And 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.
036 What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?
037 If 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.
038 But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.
039 Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.
040 Let all things be done decently and in order.