 1 Pursue+ true love zealously+ and desire the spiritual gifts, especially+ that of prophecy~. 2 For those who speak in an unknown tongue do not speak to people+ but to God. For no one understands them. However in the spirit they speak mysteries. 3 But those who prophesy speak to people+ for edification, exhortation, and comfort. 4 Those who speak in tongues edify themselves. But those who prophesy edify the assembly+. 5 I would have you all speak with tongues, but more+ that you prophesied. For those who prophesy are greater than those who speak with tongues, unless they interpret so that the assembly+ receives edification. 6 Now family+, if I come to you speaking with tongues, what will I benefit+ you? Unless+ I speak to you either by revelation or by knowledge or by prophesying or by doctrine? 7 Even when things without life are giving sound, whether it be a pipe or harp, unless they give a distinction in the sounds, how will it be known what is piped or harped? 8 For if the trumpet gives an uncertain sound, who will prepare themselves for battle? 9 So likewise you, unless+ you utter words easy to be understood by the tongue, how will it be known what is spoken? For otherwise you speak into the air. 10 There are many kinds of voices in the world and none of them is without distinctive+ character. 11 Therefore, if I do not know the meaning of the voice, I will be to those who speak a barbarian and those who speak will be a barbarian to me. 12 Even so you, since+ you are zealous for spiritual gifts, seek them so that you may excel in edifying the assembly+. 13 Therefore, let those who speak in an unknown tongue pray that they may interpret. 14 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. 15 What is it to be then? I will pray with the spirit and I will pray with understanding also. I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with understanding also. 16 Otherwise+ when you bless with the spirit, how will those who occupy the room of the uninformed+ say Amen at your giving of thanks, since they do not understand what you say? 17 For you truly+ give thanks well, but the other is not edified. 18 I thank my God that I speak with tongues more than all of you. 19 Yet in the assembly+ I would rather speak five words with my understanding, so that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue. 20 Family+, do not be children in your understanding. However in malice, be children. But in understanding, be mature+. 21 In the law it is written: With other tongues and other lips I will speak to this people. And yet for all that, they will not hear me, says the Lord. Isaiah 28:11 22 Therefore tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe, but to those who do not believe. But prophesying does not serve those who do not believe, but those who believe. 23 Therefore if the whole assembly+ has come together into one place and all speak with tongues, and those who are uninformed+ or unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are mad? 24 But if all prophesy and some who do not believe or who are uninformed+ come in, they will be convinced by all and judged by all. 25 Thus are the secrets of their hearts revealed+. So falling down on their face they will worship God and report that God is truly in you. 26 How is it to be then, family+? When you come together, everyone of you has a psalm, a doctrine, a tongue, a revelation, and an interpretation. And let all things be done for edifying. 27 If any speak in a tongue, allow two or at the most three, in succession+, and with one to interpret. 28 But if there is no interpreter, keep silence in the assembly+, each speaking to themselves and to God. 29 Allow two or three prophets to speak and the others discern+. 30 If anything is revealed to another who sits by, let the first remain silent+. 31 For against+ one in error, you may~ all~ prophesy so that all may learn and all may be exhorted+. 32 For+ the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. 33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all assemblies+ of the saints. 34 Let your women keep silence in the assemblies+. For it is not permitted for them to speak, but to be under obedience as the law also says. 35 If they will learn anything, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is a shame for women to speak in the assembly+. 36 What? Did the Word of God originate+ from you? Or did it come to you only? 37 If anyone thinks themselves to be a prophet or spiritual, let them acknowledge that the things that I write to you are the commandments of the Lord. 38 But if anyone is ignorant~, let them be ignorant. 39 Therefore family+, zealously+ desire to prophesy. And do not forbid anyone to speak with tongues. 40 Let all things be done decently and in order.
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