[1] Follow after love, and earnestly desire spiritual gifts, but especially
that you may prophesy. [2] For he who speaks in another language speaks not
to men, but to God; for no one understands; but in the spirit he speaks
mysteries. [3] But he who prophesies speaks to men for their edification,
exhortation, and consolation. [4] He who speaks in another language edifies
himself, but he who prophesies edifies the assembly. [5] Now I desire to
have you all speak with other languages, but rather that you would
prophesy. For he is greater who prophesies than he who speaks with other
languages, unless he interprets, that the assembly may be built up. [6] But
now, brothers, if I come to you speaking with other languages, what would I
profit you, unless I speak to you either by way of revelation, or of
knowledge, or of prophesying, or of teaching? [7] Even things without life,
giving a voice, whether pipe or harp, if they didn`t give a distinction in
the sounds, how would it be known what is piped or harped? [8] For if the
trumpet gave an uncertain voice, who would prepare himself for war? [9] So
also you, unless you uttered by the tongue words easy to understand, how
would it be known what is spoken? For you would be speaking into the air.
[10] There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none
of them is without meaning. [11] If then I don`t know the meaning of the
voice, I would be to him who speaks a foreigner, and he who speaks will be
a foreigner to me. [12] So also you, since you are zealous for spiritual
gifts, seek that you may abound to the building up of the assembly. [13]
Therefore let him who speaks in another language pray that he may
interpret. [14] For if I pray in another language, my spirit prays, but my
understanding is unfruitful. [15] 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. [16] Else if you bless
with the spirit, how will he who fills the place of the unlearned say the
"Amen" at your giving of thanks, seeing he doesn`t know what you say? [17]
For you most assuredly give thanks well, but the other person is not built
up. [18] I thank my God, I speak with other languages more than you all.
[19] However in the assembly I would rather speak five words with my
understanding, that I might instruct others also, than ten thousand words
in another language. [20] Brothers, don`t be children in mind, yet in
malice be babies, but in mind be men. [21] In the law it is written, "By
men of strange languages and by the lips of strangers I will speak to this
people. Not even thus will they hear me, says the Lord." [22] Therefore
other languages are for a sign, not to those who believe, but to the
unbelieving; but prophesying is for a sign, not to the unbelieving, but to
those who believe. [23] If therefore the whole assembly is assembled
together and all speak with other languages, and unlearned or unbelieving
people come in, won`t they say that you are crazy? [24] But if all
prophesy, and someone unbelieving or unlearned comes in, he is reproved by
all, and he is judged by all. [25] And thus the secrets of his heart are
revealed. So he will fall down on his face and worship God, declaring that
God is among you indeed. [26] What is it then, brothers? When you come
together, each one of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation,
has another language, has an interpretation. Let all things be done to
build each other up. [27] If any man speaks in another language, let it be
two, or at the most three, and in turn; and let one interpret. [28] But if
there is no interpreter, let him keep silence in the assembly, and let him
speak to himself, and to God. [29] Let the prophets speak, two or three,
and let the others discern. [30] But if a revelation is made to another
sitting by, let the first keep silence. [31] For you all can prophesy one
by one, that all may learn, and all may be exhorted. [32] The spirits of
the prophets are subject to the prophets, [33] for God is not a God of
confusion, but of peace. As in all the assemblies of the saints, [34] let
your women keep silence in the assemblies, for it is not permitted for them
to speak; but let them be in subjection, as the Law also says. [35] If they
desire to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home, for it
is shameful for a woman to chatter in the assembly. [36] What? Was it from
you that the word of God went forth? Or did it come to you alone? [37] If
any man thinks himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him recognize the
things which I write to you, that they are the commandment of the Lord.
[38] But if anyone is ignorant, let him be ignorant. [39] Therefore,
brothers, desire earnestly to prophesy, and don`t forbid speaking with
other languages. [40] Let all things be done decently and in order.
