1Pursue love, yet zealously desire spiritual gifts, especially prophesy proclaiming Gods Word. 2For the person who speaks in an unknown tongue does not speak to men, but to God. No man understands him. He speaks secrets by the spirit. 3But the person who prophesies proclaims Gods Word openly speaks to men to build up, encourage and comfort. 4The person who speaks in an unknown tongue enlightens himself; but he who declares Gods Word enlightens the entire congregation! 5I would like it that you all speak with tongues, but I prefer that you prophesy. The person who announces teachespreaches Gods Word is greater than the person who speaks with tongues. The person who speaks with tongues should have an interpreter so the congregation may receive understanding and knowledge. 6Now, brothers, if I come to you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine? 7Inanimate objects that make a sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped? 8If the trumpet gives an unclear sound, who will prepare himself for the battle? 9The same for you unless you utter by the tongue words easy to understand, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will speak into the air. 10There are many kinds of languages in the world, and none of them is without meaning. 11Therefore if I do not know the meaning of what someone is saying I will be a foreigner to him that speaks. And he that speaks will be a foreigner to me too. 12As much as you are zealous for spiritual gifts, strive to build-up increase the enlightenment understanding of the congregation. 13Let the one who speaks in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret what he says. 14For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding mind is unfruitful. 15What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding Greek: nous: mind also. I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding mind also. 16When you bless with the spirit, how will the audience of the unlearned say Amen at your giving of thanks, seeing he does not understand what you said? 17For you give thanks well, but the other is not given understanding. 18I thank God that I speak with tongues more then all of you. 19Yet in the congregation I would rather speak five words with my understanding than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue. 20Brothers, do not be like children in understanding. When it comes to evil be innocent children but in your thinking be mature adults. 21It is written in the law: »With men of other tongues and lips of foreigners I will speak to this people. Even then they will not listen to me,« said Jehovah. 22Therefore speaking in tongues is a sign not for believers, but for those who do not believe. Prophesying proclaiming Gods Word serves the believer and not the unbeliever. 23If therefore the whole congregation comes together in one place, and all speak with tongues, and the unlearned, or unbelievers, come there will they not say that you are out of your mind? 24But if all proclaim Gods Word and an unbeliever comes there he is convinced by all. 25The secrets of his heart are made known. So falling down on his face he will worship God, and report, »God is truly among you.« 26How is it then, brothers? When you come together, every one of you has a psalm, has a doctrine, has a tongue, has a revelation, and has an interpretation. Let all things be done to clarify and offer understanding! 27If anyone speaks in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three. It should be orderly by plan and someone must interpret. 28But if there is no interpreter, let the speaker keep silence in the congregation and speak to himself and to God. 29Let two or three prophets speak and let the others listen. 30If there is a revelation to another while sitting there, let the others keep quiet. 31You may all prophesy one by one in turn that all may learn, and all may be comforted. 32Let the prophets control the spirits mindsmental disposition of the prophets. 33For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all the congregations of the holy ones. 34Let women keep silent in the congregations. They are not permitted to speak. They must be in submission as it says in the law. 35When they want to learn something, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is improper for a woman to speak in the congregation. 36Did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only people it has reached? 37If any man thinks himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write to you are the commandments of the Lord. 38But if any man does not recognize understand this he will not be recognized. 39Seek to prophesy brothers, and do not forbid speaking with tongues. 40Let all things be done decently and in order.