¹ FOLLOW earnestly after love, and zealously seek spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.

² For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue, speaketh not to men, but to God: for no man understandeth him; although in spirit he speaketh mysterious truths.

³ But he that prophesieth, addresseth men for edification, and exhortation, and consolation.

⁴ He that speaketh in an unknown tongue, edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth, edifieth the church.

⁵ Now I could wish that you all spake with tongues, but rather that ye should prophesy: for greater is he that prophesieth, than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret also, that the church may receive edification.

⁶ Now I, brethren, if I should come unto you, speaking in unknown languages, what should I profit you, unless I should speak to you intelligibly by revelation, or by science, or by prophecy, or by doctrine?

⁷ In like manner things inanimate, giving sound, whether the pipe, or the harp, unless they express a distinction in their tones, how shall it be known what is piped, or what is harped?

⁸ For if the trumpet also give an uncertain sound, who will prepare himself for the battle?

⁹ So also ye, unless with the tongue you speak an intelligible discourse, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye will speak to the air.

¹⁰ For though there are so many different kinds of languages in the world, yet is not one of them without its meaning.

¹¹ If therefore I know not the force of the expression, I shall be to him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh will be a barbarian unto me.

¹² So also ye, if ye zealously affect spiritual gifts, seek that ye may abound in them for the edification of the church.

¹³ Therefore let him who speaketh in an unknown tongue, pray that he may interpret also.

¹⁴ For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my mind produces no fruit.

¹⁵ What then is my object? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing psalms with the spirit, and I will sing psalms with the understanding also.

¹⁶ Else, though thou bless God in spirit, how shall he who filleth the place of an illiterate man, say Amen after thy thanksgiving, seeing he knoweth not what thou sayest?

¹⁷ For thou indeed givest thanks to God well, but another man is not edified by it.

¹⁸ I thank my God, that I speak with different tongues more than you all:

¹⁹ but in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may instruct others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.

²⁰ Brethren, be not children in your minds: though in naughtiness be ye children, but in your minds be men complete.

²¹ In the law it is written, “That with other tongues, and with other lips, will I speak to this people: and even thus will they not attend to me, saith the Lord¹.”

1. Isa. xxviii. 11.

²² Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to those that believe, but to those who do not believe: but the gift of prophecy is not for those who are infidels, but for believers.

²³ If then the whole church assemble together in the same place, and all speak different tongues, and there come in illiterate persons, or infidels, will they not say ye are mad?

²⁴ But if all prophesy, and any infidel or illiterate person come in, he receives conviction from all, he is judged of all:

²⁵ and thus the secrets of his heart are made manifest; and so falling down on his face, he will worship God, declaring that God verily is among you.

²⁶ How comes it then, brethren, that when ye assemble 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 to edification.

²⁷ If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at most by three, and one after another; and let one interpret.

²⁸ But if there be not an interpreter, let him be silent in the church; but let him speak to himself and to God.

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

³⁰ But if any thing should be revealed to one sitting by, let the first be silent.

³¹ For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all be comforted.

³² And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.

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

³⁴ Let your women be silent in the churches: for it is not permitted to them to speak: but to be in subjection, as also the law saith¹.

1. Gen. iii. 16.

³⁵ But if they will learn any thing, let them ask their own husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.

³⁶ Went the word of God from you? or came it unto you only?

³⁷ If any man thinketh that he is a prophet, or spiritually gifted, let him acknowledge that the things which I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.

³⁸ But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.

³⁹ Wherefore, my brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.

⁴⁰ Let all things be done with propriety, and orderly.