1 Pursue love, and earnestly desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.
2 For he who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him; but in the spirit he speaks mysteries.
3 But he who prophesies speaks to men edification and exhortation and consolation.
4 He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.
5 Now I would like you all to speak with tongues, but even more that you would prophesy; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless he interprets, that the church may receive edification.
6 And now, brothers, if I come to you speaking with tongues, what will I profit you, unless I speak to you either in revelation or in knowledge or in prophecy or in teaching?
7 Even things without life that give a sound, whether flute or harp, if they do not make a distinction in the sounds, how will it be known what is piped or harped?
8 For if the trumpet gives an uncertain sound, who will prepare himself for battle?
9 So also you, unless you utter by the tongue speech that is easily understood, how will what is spoken be known? For you will be speaking into the air.
10 There are, it may be, so many kinds of sounds in the world, and none of them is without meaning.
11 If, then, I do not know the meaning of the sound, I will be a barbarian to him who speaks, and he who speaks will be a barbarian to me.
12 So also you, since you are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek to abound in them for the edification of the church.
13 Therefore let him who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret.
14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.
15 What is it, then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray also with the understanding; I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing also with the understanding.
16 Otherwise, if you bless with the spirit, how will he who fills the place of the unlearned say the Amen at your giving of thanks, since he does not know what you are saying?
17 For you indeed give thanks well, but the other is not edified.
18 I thank my God that I speak with tongues more than you all;
19 but in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I might also instruct others, than ten thousand words in a tongue.
20 Brothers, do not be children in understanding; but in malice be infants, and in understanding be mature.
21 In the law it is written, "With other tongues and with other lips I will speak to this people, and even so they will not hear me, says the Lord."
22 So then tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to the unbelieving; but prophecy is not for the unbelieving but for those who believe.
23 If, then, the whole church comes together in one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those who are unlearned or unbelievers, will they not say that you are out of your minds?
24 But if all prophesy, and some unbeliever or unlearned man comes in, he is convicted by all, he is examined by all,
25 and thus the secrets of his heart are made manifest; and so, falling on his face, he will worship God, declaring that God is truly among you.
26 How is it, then, brothers? 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 If anyone speaks in a tongue, let it be by two, or at the most three, and each in turn; and let one interpret.
28 But if there is no interpreter, let him be silent in the church, and let him speak to himself and to God.
29 And let two or three prophets speak, and let the others discern.
30 But if anything is revealed to another sitting by, let the first be silent.
31 For you can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be exhorted.
32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.
33 For God is not a God of disorder but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.
34 Let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak, but to be subject, as also the law says.
35 And if they wish to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is a shame for women to speak in church.
36 Or did the word of God go out from you? Or did it come to you only?
37 If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge the things which I write to you, that they are commandments of the Lord.
38 But if anyone is ignorant, let him be ignorant.
39 Therefore, brothers, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking with tongues.
40 Let all things be done decently and in order.