14:1 Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy.
14:2 For anyone who speaks in a tongue [Or another language also in verses 4, 13, 14, 19, 26 and 27] does not speak to men but to God. Indeed, no-one understands him he utters mysteries with his spirit. [Or by the Spirit]
14:3 But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort.
14:4 He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.
14:5 I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, [Or other languages also in verses 6, 18, 22, 23 and 39] but I would rather have you prophesy. He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, [Or other languages also in verses 6, 18, 22,
14:6 Now, brothers, if I come to you and speak in tongues, what good will I be to you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or word of instruction?
14:7 Even in the case of lifeless things that make sounds, such as the flute or harp, how will anyone know what tune is being played unless there is a distinction in the notes?
14:8 Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle?
14:9 So it is with you. Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air.
14:10 Undoubtedly there are all sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning.
14:11 If then I do not grasp the meaning of what someone is saying, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and he is a foreigner to me.
14:12 So it is with you. Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in gifts that build up the church.
14:13 For this reason anyone who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret what he says.
14:14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.
14:15 So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind.
14:16 If you are praising God with your spirit, how can one who finds himself among those who do not understand [Or among the enquirers] say Amen to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying?
14:17 You may be giving thanks well enough, but the other man is not edified.
14:18 I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you.
14:19 But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.
14:20 Brothers, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults.
14:21 In the Law it is written: Through men of strange tongues and through the lips of foreigners I will speak to this people, but even then they will not listen to me, [Isaiah 28:11,12] says the Lord.
14:22 Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers prophecy, however, is for believers, not for unbelievers.
14:23 So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and some who do not understand [Or some enquirers] or some unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind?
14:24 But if an unbeliever or someone who does not understand [Or or some enquirer] comes in while everybody is prophesying, he will be convinced by all that he is a sinner and will be judged by all,
14:25 and the secrets of his heart will be laid bare. So he will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, God is really among you!
14:26 What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church.
14:27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, two or at the most three should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret.
14:28 If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and God.
14:29 Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said.
14:30 And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop.
14:31 For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged.
14:32 The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets.
14:33 For God is not a God of disorder but of peace. As in all the congregations of the saints,
14:34 women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the Law says.
14:35 If they want to enquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church.
14:36 Did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only people it has reached?
14:37 If anybody thinks he is a prophet or spiritually gifted, let him acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord’s command.
14:38 If he ignores this, he himself will be ignored. [Some manuscripts: If he is ignorant of this, let him be ignorant]
14:39 Therefore, my brothers, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.
14:40 But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.