Prophecy and Tongues

1Pursue love, and zealously desire spiritual gifts, and especially that you⁺ may prophesy. 2For the one speaking in a tongue speaks not to men, but to God. For no one hears, but in the Spirit he speaks mysteries. 3But the one prophesying speaks to men for edification and encouragement and comfort. 4The one speaking in a tongue edifies himself, but the one prophesying edifies the church.

5Now I wish for all of you⁺ to speak in tongues, but rather that you⁺ may prophesy. And† the one prophesying is greater than the one speaking in tongues, except if he may interpret, so that the church might receive edification.

6But now, brothers, if I should come to you⁺ speaking in tongues, what will I profit you⁺, unless I should speak to you⁺ either in revelation, or in knowledge, or in prophecy, or in teaching? 7Even lifeless things giving a sound—whether the flute or harp—unless they give distinction to the sounds, how will it be known what is being piped or being harped? 8For also if the trumpet gives an indistinct sound, who will prepare himself for battle? 9So also you⁺, unless you⁺ give intelligible speech through the tongue, how will it be known what is being spoken? For you⁺ will be speaking into the air.

10There are, if it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none without meaning. 11Therefore unless I know the power of the voice, I will be a barbarian† to the one speaking, and the one speaking, a barbarian to me.

12So also you⁺, since you⁺ are zealous for spiritual gifts, seek for the edification of the church, so that you⁺ may abound. 13Therefore, the one speaking in a tongue, let him pray that he may interpret. 14For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.

15What then is it? I will pray with the spirit, but I will also pray with the mind. I will sing praise with the spirit, but I will also sing praise with the mind. 16Otherwise, if you bless with the spirit,† how will the one filling up the place of the uninstructed say the “Amen” to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you say? 17For indeed, you give thanks well, but the other is not edified.

18I thank God† that I speak in tongues more than all of you⁺. 19But in the church, I wish to speak five words with my mind, so that also I might instruct others, rather than myriads of words in a tongue.

20Brothers, do not be children in the minds. But in evil be little children; and in thinking be mature. 21In the law it has been written:

“With other tongues and with different lips

I will speak to this people,

and not even thus will they hear Me,

says the Lord.Ӡ

22So then, tongues are for a sign, not to the believing, but to the unbelieving; but prophecy is not to the unbelieving, but to the believing.

23Therefore, if the whole church might gather together in the same place and all may speak in tongues, and uninstructed ones or unbelievers should come in, will not they say that you⁺ are out of your⁺ minds? 24But if all prophesy and some unbeliever or uninstructed one should come in, he is convicted by all, he is examined by all, 25and the secrets† of his heart become manifest. And thus having fallen upon his face, he will worship God, declaring that “God is really among you⁺!”

Orderly Worship

26What then is it, brothers? When you⁺ may come together, each† has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue,† has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.

27If anyone speaks in a tongue, be by two, or at the most three, and each in turn; and let one interpret. 28But if there may be no interpreter, let him be silent in the church, and let him speak to himself and to God.

29And let two or three prophets speak, and let the others discern. 30But if anything should be revealed to another sitting, let the first be silent. 31For you⁺ are all able to prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all may be exhorted. 32And the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets. 33For He is not the God of disorder, but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.†

34Let the women† be silent in the churches. For it is not permitted to them to speak, but to be subject, as the law also says. 35But if they wish to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is shameful for a woman to speak in the church.†

36Or did the word of God go out from you⁺? Or did it come to you⁺ only? 37If anyone thinks to be a prophet or spiritual, let him recognize that the things I write to you⁺ are commands of the Lord. 38But if anyone is ignorant, let him be ignored.†

39So, my brothers,† zealously desire to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak in tongues. 40But let all things† be done properly and according to order.

Footnotes:

5 BYZ and TR For.
11 Or a foreigner; twice in this verse
16 Or in the Spirit
18 BYZ and TR I thank my God
21 Isaiah 28:11–12
25 BYZ and TR and so the secrets.
26 BYZ and TR each of you
26 BYZ and TR a tongue, a revelation
33 Or of peace. As in all the churches of the saints: Thus, some translators begin the new paragraph after peace.
34 BYZ and TR your women.
35 Some manuscripts place verses 34–35 after verse 40.
38 BYZ and TR let him be ignorant
39 BYZ and TR So, brothers
40 BYZ and TR Let all things