1

Go after love still desiring to have the things which the Spirit gives, but most of all that you may have the prophet's power.

2

For he who makes use of tongues is not talking to men but to God because no one has the sense of what he is saying but in the Spirit he is talking of secret things.

3

But the word of the prophet gives men knowledge and comfort and strength.

4

He who makes use of tongues may do good to himself but he who gives the prophet's word does good to the church.

5

Now though it is my desire for you all to have the power of tongues, it would give me more pleasure to be hearing the prophet's word from you for this is a greater thing than using tongues, if the sense is not given at the same time, for the good of the church.

6

But, now, my brothers, if I come to you using tongues, what profit will it be to you, if I do not give you a revelation, or knowledge, or the word of the prophet, or teaching?

7

Even things without life, having a voice, such as a music-pipe or other instrument, if they do not give out different sounds, who may be certain what is being played?

8

For if the war-horn gives out an uncertain note, who will get ready for the fight?

9

So if you, in using a strange tongue, say words which have no sense, how will anyone take in what you are saying? for you will be talking to the air.

10

There are, it may be, a number of different voices in the world, and no voice is without sense.

11

But if the sense of the voice is not clear to me, I am like a man from a strange country to him who is talking, and he will be the same to me.

12

So if you are desiring the things which the Spirit gives, let your minds be turned first to the things which are for the good of the church.

13

For this reason, let the man who has the power of using tongues make request that he may, at the same time, be able to give the sense.

14

For if I make use of tongues in my prayers, my spirit makes the prayer, but not my mind.

15

What then? let my prayer be from the spirit, and equally from the mind let my song be from the spirit, and equally from mind.

16

For if you give a blessing with the spirit, how will the man who has no knowledge say, So be it, after your prayer, seeing that he has not taken in what you are saying?

17

For your giving of the blessing is certainly well done, but of no profit to the man without knowledge.

18

I give praise to God that I am able to make use of tongues more than you all:

19

But in the church it would be better for me to make use of five words of which the sense was clear, so that others might have profit, than ten thousand words in a strange tongue.

20

My brothers, do not be children in mind: in evil be as little children, but in mind be of full growth.

21

In the law it is said, By men of other tongues and by strange lips will my words come to this people and not even so will they give ear to me, says the Lord.

22

For this reason tongues are for a sign, not to those who have faith, but to those who have not: but the prophet's word is for those who have faith, and not for the rest who have not.

23

If, then, the church has come together, and all are using tongues, and there come in men without knowledge or faith, will they not say that you are unbalanced?

24

But if all are teaching as prophets, and a man without faith or knowledge comes in, he is tested by all, he is judged by all

25

The secrets of his heart are made clear and he will go down on his face and give worship to God, saying that God is truly among you.