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v1
Pursue love, and strive for spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.
v2
For the one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God, because no one understands, but by the Spirit ^[Or “in the Spirit”; or “in his spirit”] he speaks mysteries.
v3
But the one who prophesies speaks to people edification and encouragement and consolation.
v4
The one who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but the one who prophesies edifies the church.
v5
Now I want you all to speak with tongues, but even more that you may prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks with tongues, unless he interprets, in order that the church may receive edification.
v6
But now, brothers, if I come to you speaking with tongues, how do I benefit you, unless I speak to you either with a revelation or with knowledge or with a prophecy or with a teaching?
v7
Likewise, the inanimate things which produce a sound, whether flute or lyre, if they do not produce a distinction in the tones, how will it be known what is played on the flute or on the lyre?
v8
For indeed, if the trumpet produces an indistinct sound, who will prepare for battle?
v9
And so you through the tongue, unless you produce a clear message, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air.
v10
There are probably so many kinds of languages in the world, and none without meaning.
v11
Therefore, if I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be a barbarian to the one who is speaking, and the one who is speaking will be a barbarian in my judgment.
v12
In this way also you, since you are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek for the edification of the church, in order that you may abound.
v13
Therefore the one who speaks in a tongue must pray that he may interpret.
v14
For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays but my mind is unproductive.
v15
Therefore what should I do ^[Literally “what therefore is it”]? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind. I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will also sing praise with my mind.
v16
For otherwise, if you praise in your spirit, how will the one who fills the place of the outsider say the “amen” at your thanksgiving, because he does not know what you are saying?
v17
For indeed you are giving thanks well, but the other person is not edified.
v18
I give thanks to God that I speak with tongues more than all of you,
v19
but in the church I prefer to speak five words with my mind, in order that I may instruct other people, than ten thousand words in a tongue.
v20
Brothers, do not become children in your understanding, but with respect to wickedness be as a child, and in your understanding be mature.
v21
In the law it is written: “By those who speak a foreign language and by the lips of others I will speak to this people, and not even in this way will they obey me,” ^[A quotation from Isa 28:11–12] says the Lord.
v22
So then, tongues are for a sign not to those who believe, but to unbelievers, but prophecy is not for unbelievers, but for those who believe.
v23
Therefore, if the whole church comes together at the same time and all speak with tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are out of your minds?
v24
But if all prophesy, and some unbeliever or outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is judged by all,
v25
the secret things of his heart become evident, and so, falling on his face, he will worship God, proclaiming, “God is truly among you!“
v26
Therefore what should you do ^[Literally “what therefore is it”], brothers? Whenever you come together, each one of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. All things must be done for edification.
v27
If anyone speaks in a tongue, it must be on one occasion two or at most three, and one after the other ^[Literally “in turn”], and one must interpret.
v28
But if there is no interpreter, he must be silent in the church, but let him speak to himself and to God.
v29
Let two or three prophets speak, and the others evaluate.
v30
And if something is revealed to another who is seated, the first must be silent.
v31
For you are all able to prophesy in turn ^[Literally “one at a time], in order that all may learn and all may be encouraged,
v32
and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets.
v33
For God is not a God of disorder but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints,
v34
the women must be silent in the churches, for it is not permitted for them to speak, but they must be in submission, just as the law also says.
v35
But if they want to learn something, let them ask their own husbands at home, for it is shameful for a woman to speak in church.
v36
Or has the word of God gone out from you, or has it come to you only?
v37
If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual, ^[Or “or one who possesses the Spirit”] he should recognize that the things which I am writing to you are of the Lord. ^[Some manuscripts have “are a command of the Lord”]
v38
But if anyone ignores this, he is ignored. ^[Or “if anyone is ignorant, let him be ignorant”]
v39
So then, my brothers, desire to prophesy, and do not prevent speaking with tongues.
v40
But let all things be done decently and according to proper procedure.