1Follow after love, and covet spiritual gifts, and rather that ye may prophesy.
2For he that speaketh a strange tongue, speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man heareth him: howbeit in the spirit he speaketh secret things.
3But he that prophesieth, speaketh unto men to edifying, and to exhortation, and to comfort.
4He that speaketh strange language, edifieth himself: but he that prophesieth, edifieth the Church.
5I would that ye all spake strange languages, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth, than he that speaketh diverse tongues, except he expound it, that the Church may receive edification.
6And now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking diverse tongues, what shall I profit you, except I speak to you, either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?
7Moreover things without life which give a sound, whether it be a pipe or an harp, except they make a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?
8And also if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to battle?
9So likewise you, by the tongue, except ye utter words that have signification, how shall it be understood what is spoken? for ye shall speak in the air.
10There are so many kinds of voices (as it cometh to pass) in the world, and none of them is dumb.
11Except I know then the power of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a Barbarian, and he that speaketh, shall be a Barbarian unto me.
12Even so, forasmuch as ye covet spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel unto the edifying of the Church.
13Wherefore, let him that speaketh a strange tongue, pray that he may interpret.
14For if I pray in a strange tongue, my spirit prayeth: but mine understanding is without fruit.
15What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, but I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit: but I will sing with the understanding also.
16Else, when thou blessest with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned, say Amen, at thy giving of thanks, seeing he knowest not what thou sayest?
17For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.
18I thank my God, I speak languages more than ye all.
19Yet had I rather in the Church to speak five words with mine understanding, that I might also instruct others, than ten thousand words in a strange tongue.
20Brethren, be not children in understanding, but as concerning maliciousness be children, but in understanding be of a ripe age.
21In the Law it is written, By men of other tongues, and by other languages will I speak unto this people: yet so shall they not hear me, saith the Lord.
22Wherefore strange 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.
23If therefore, when the whole Church is come together in one, and all speak strange tongues, there come in they that are unlearned, or they which believe not, will they not say, that ye are out of your wits?
24But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is rebuked of all men, and is judged of all,
25And so are the secrets of his heart made manifest, and so he will fall down on his face and worship God, and say plainly that God is in you indeed.
26What is to be done then, brethren? when ye come together, according as every one of you hath a Psalm, or hath doctrine, or hath a tongue, or hath revelation, or hath interpretation, let all things be done unto edifying.
27If any man speak a strange tongue, let it be by two, or at the most, by three, and that by course, and let one interpret.
28But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the Church, which speaketh languages, and let him speak to himself, and to God.
29Let the Prophets speak, two or three, and let the others judge.
30And if anything be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.
31For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may have comfort.
32And the spirits of the Prophets are subject to the Prophets.
33For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as we see in all the Churches of the Saints.
34Let your women keep silence in the Churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak: but they ought to be subject, as also the Law saith.
35And if they will learn anything, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the Church.
36Came the word of God out from you? either came it unto you only?
37If 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.
38And if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.
39Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak languages.
40Let all things be done honestly, and by order.