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¹ FOLLOW after love, and desire spiritual gifts, above all that you may prophesy.² For he who speaks in an unknown tongue speaks not to men, but to God; for no man understands what he says; however through the Spirit he speaks mysteries.³ But he who prophesies speaks to men for edification, encouragement, and comfort.⁴ He who speaks in an unknown tongue edifies himself; but he who prophesies edifies the church.⁵ I would that you all spoke various tongues, but I would rather that you prophesied: for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks various tongues, unless he interpret; however, if he interpret it, he edifies the church.

⁶ Now, my brethren, if I should come to you and speak in diverse tongues, what would I profit you, except I speak to you either by means of revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying or by teaching?⁷ For even when things without life, giving sound, whether flute or harp, except they make a distinction between one tone and another, how shall it be known what is sung or played?⁸ For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who will prepare himself for the battle?⁹ Even so you, except you utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what you say? you shall speak as into the air.¹⁰ For, behold, there are many kinds of speech in the world, yet none of them are without expression.¹¹ So if I do not understand the utterance, I shall be as a barbarian to the speaker, and the speaker shall be as a barbarian to me.¹² Likewise you, since you are zealous of spiritual gifts for the edification of the church, seek that you may excel in these gifts.¹³ Thus he who speaks in an unknown tongue, pray that he may interpret it.¹⁴ For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prays, but my knowledge is fruitless.

¹⁵ What then shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, and I will pray with my understanding also: I will sing with my spirit, and I will sing with my understanding also.¹⁶ Otherwise, if you say a blessing with the spirit, how can one who occupies the place of the unlearned say Amen to your thanksgiving, since he does not understand what you say?¹⁷ For indeed you bless well, but your fellow man is not enlightened.¹⁸ I thank God, that I speak with tongues more than you all:¹⁹ But in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, so that I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.²⁰ My brethren, be not like infants in your intelligence, only to evil things be like children, but in your understanding be mature.

²¹ In the law it is written, With a foreign speech, and in another tongue, I will speak to this people; yet for all that, they will not listen to me, says the LORD.²² Thus, the gift of languages is instituted as a sign, not for believers, but for unbelievers: but prophesying is meant, not for those who do not believe, but for those who believe.²³ If therefore the whole church assembles together and all speak in different tongues and there enter unlearned people or unbelievers, will they not say, They are fanatical?²⁴ But if all prophesy, and an unlearned man or an unbeliever enter, he will be convinced by all, and he will be set right by all.²⁵ Thus the secrets of his heart will be revealed, and then he will fall on his face, and he will worship God and say, Truly God is among you.

²⁶ Therefore I say to you, my brethren, when you gather together, whoever among you has a psalm to sing, has a doctrine, has a revelation, has the gift of tongues, or the gift of interpretation, let everything be done for edification.²⁷ And if any man should speak in an unknown tongue, let two or at most three speak, and speak one by one; and let one interpret.²⁸ But if there is no one to interpret, let him who speaks in an unknown tongue keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself and to God.²⁹ Let the prophets speak two or three in turn, and let the others discern what is said.³⁰ And if anything is revealed to another who is seated, let the first speaker hold his peace.³¹ For you may all prophesy one by one, so that every one may learn, and every one be comforted.³² For the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.³³ For God is not a God of confusion but of peace, and he is in all churches of the saints.

³⁴ Let your women keep silent in the church for they have no permission to speak; but they are to be under obedience as is said in the law.³⁵ And if they wish to learn anything, let them ask their husbands at home; for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.

³⁶ What? Did the word of God come from you? or did it come for you only?³⁷ If any one among you thinks he is a prophet, or that he is inspired by the Spirit, let him acknowledge that these things that I write to you are the commandments of our LORD.³⁸ But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.³⁹ Therefore, my brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not prohibit speaking in unknown tongues.⁴⁰ Let all things be done decently and in order.