1Follow after love; yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts , but rather that ye may prophesy . 2For he that speaketh in a tongue speaketh not unto men , but unto God ; for no man understandeth; but in the spirit he speaketh mysteries . 3But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men edification , and exhortation , and consolation . 4He that speaketh in a tongue edifieth himself ; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church . 5Now I would have you all speak with tongues , but rather that ye should prophesy : and greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues , except he interpret , that the church may receive edifying . 6But now , brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues , what shall I profit you , unless I speak to you either by way of revelation, or of knowledge , or of prophesying , or of teaching ? 7Even things without life, giving a voice , whether pipe or harp , if they give not a distinction in the sounds , how shall it be known what is piped or harped ? 8For if the trumpet give an uncertain voice , who shall prepare himself for war ? 9So also ye , unless ye utter by the tongue speech easy to be understood , how shall it be known what is spoken ? for ye will be speaking into the air. 10There are , it may be , so many kinds of voices in the world , and no kind is without signification. 11If then I know not the meaning of the voice , I shall be to him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh will be a barbarian unto me . 12So also ye , since ye are zealous of spiritual gifts , seek that ye may abound unto the edifying of the church . 13Wherefore let him that speaketh in a tongue pray that he may interpret . 14For if I pray in a tongue , my spirit prayeth , but my understanding is unfruitful. 15What is it then ? I will pray with the spirit , and I will pray with the understanding also : I will sing with the spirit , and I will sing with the understanding also . 16Else if thou bless with the spirit , how shall he that filleth the place of the unlearned say the Amen at thy giving of thanks , seeing he knoweth not what thou sayest ? 17For thou verily givest thanks well , but the other is not edified . 18I thank God , I speak with tongues more than you all : 19howbeit in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding , that I might instruct others also , than ten thousand words in a tongue . 20Brethren , be not children in mind: yet in malice be ye babes, but in mind be men . 21In the law it is written , By men of strange tongues and by the lips of strangers will I speak unto this people ; and not even thus will they hear me , saith the Lord . 22Wherefore tongues are for a sign , not to them that believe , but to the unbelieving: but prophesying is for a sign , not to the unbelieving, but to them that believe . 23If therefore the whole church be assembled together and all speak with tongues , and there come in men unlearned or unbelieving, will they not say that ye are mad ? 24But if all prophesy , and there come in one unbelieving or unlearned , he is reproved by all , he is judged by all ; 25the secrets of his heart are made manifest ; and so he will fall down on his face and worship God , declaring that God is among you indeed .
Guidelines for Speaking in Tongues
26What is it then , brethren? When ye come together , each one hath a psalm , hath a teaching , hath a revelation, hath a tongue , hath an interpretation . Let all things be done unto edifying . 27If any man speaketh in a tongue , let it be by two , or at the most three , and that in turn ; and let one interpret : 28but if there be no interpreter , let him keep silence in the church ; and let him speak to himself , and to God . 29And let the prophets speak by two or three , and let the others discern . 30But if a revelation be made to another sitting by , let the first keep silence . 31For ye all can prophesy one by one , that all may learn , and all may be exhorted ; 32and the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets ; 33for God is not a God of confusion, but of peace . As in all the churches of the saints,
The Role of Women in Worship
34let the women keep silence in the churches : for it is not permitted unto them to speak ; but let them be in subjection , as also saith the law . 35And if they would learn anything , let them ask their own husbands at home : for it is shameful for a woman to speak in the church . 36What ? was it from you that the word of God went forth ? or came it unto you alone ? 37If any man thinketh himself to be a prophet , or spiritual , let him take knowledge of the things which I write unto you , that they are the commandment of the Lord . 38But if any man is ignorant, let him be ignorant. 39Wherefore , my brethren , desire earnestly to prophesy , and forbid not to speak with tongues . 40But let all things be done decently and in order .