^aPursue love, yet ^bdesire earnestly ^cspiritual gifts, but especially that you may ^dprophesy. 2 For one who ^aspeaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God; for no one ¹understands, but ²in his spirit he speaks ^bmysteries. 3 But one who prophesies speaks to men for ^aedification and ^bexhortation and consolation. 4 One who ^aspeaks in a tongue ^bedifies himself; but one who ^cprophesies ^dedifies the church. 5 Now I wish that you all ^aspoke in tongues, but ^beven more that you would prophesy; and greater is one who prophesies than one who ^cspeaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may receive ^dedifying.

6 But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking in tongues, what will I profit you unless I speak to you either by way of ^arevelation or of ^bknowledge or of ^cprophecy or of ^dteaching? 7 Yet even lifeless things, either flute or harp, in producing a sound, if they do not produce a distinction in the tones, how will it be known what is played on the flute or on the harp? 8 For if ^athe ¹bugle produces an indistinct sound, who will prepare himself for battle? 9 So also you, unless you utter by the tongue speech that is clear, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be ^aspeaking into the air. 10 There are, perhaps, a great many kinds of ¹languages in the world, and no kind is without meaning. 11 If then I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be to the one who speaks a ^1abarbarian, and the one who speaks will be a ²barbarian ³to me. 12 So also you, since you are zealous of ¹spiritual gifts, seek to abound for the ^aedification of the church.

13 Therefore let one who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret. 14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. 15 ^aWhat is the outcome then? I will pray with the spirit and I will pray with the mind also; I will ^bsing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also. 16 Otherwise if you bless ¹in the spirit only, how will the one who fills the place of the ²ungifted say ^athe “Amen” at your ^bgiving of thanks, since he does not know what you are saying? 17 For you are giving thanks well enough, but the other person is not ^aedified. 18 I thank God, I speak in tongues more than you all; 19 however, in the church I desire to speak five words with my mind so that I may instruct others also, rather than ten thousand words in a tongue.

20 ^aBrethren, ^bdo not be children in your thinking; yet in evil ^cbe infants, but in your thinking be mature. 21 In ^athe Law it is written, “^bBY MEN OF STRANGE TONGUES AND BY THE LIPS OF STRANGERS I WILL SPEAK TO THIS PEOPLE, AND EVEN SO THEY WILL NOT LISTEN TO ME,” says the Lord. 22 So then tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but ^aprophecy is for a sign, not to unbelievers but to those who believe. 23 Therefore if the whole church assembles together and all speak in tongues, and ¹ungifted men or unbelievers enter, will they not say that ^ayou are mad? 24 But if all ^aprophesy, and an unbeliever or an ¹ungifted man enters, he is ^bconvicted by all, he is called to account by all; 25 ^athe secrets of his heart are disclosed; and so he will ^bfall on his face and worship God, ^cdeclaring that God is certainly among you.

26 ^aWhat is the outcome then, ^bbrethren? When you assemble, ^ceach one has a ^dpsalm, has a ^eteaching, has a ^frevelation, has a ^gtongue, has an ^hinterpretation. Let ⁱall things be done for edification. 27 If anyone speaks in a ^atongue, it should be by two or at the most three, and each in turn, and one must ^binterpret; 28 but if there is no interpreter, he must keep silent in the church; and let him speak to himself and to God. 29 Let two or three ^aprophets speak, and let the others ^bpass judgment. 30 But if a revelation is made to another who is seated, the first one must keep silent. 31 For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all may be exhorted; 32 and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets; 33 for God is not a God of ^aconfusion but of ¹peace, as in ^ball the churches of the ^csaints.

34 The women are to ^akeep silent in the churches; for they are not permitted to speak, but ^bare to subject themselves, just as ^cthe Law also says. 35 If they desire to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is ¹improper for a woman to speak in church. 36 ¹Was it from you that the word of God first went forth? Or has it come to you only?

37 ^aIf anyone thinks he is a prophet or ^bspiritual, let him recognize that the things which I write to you ^care the Lord’s commandment. 38 But if anyone does not recognize this, he ¹is not recognized.

39 Therefore, my brethren, ^adesire earnestly to ^bprophesy, and do not forbid to speak in tongues. 40 But ^aall things must be done properly and in an orderly manner.