¹⁹ So then we ^(A)pursue the things ^[a]which make for peace and the ^(B)building up of one another.

^23 (A)All things are permitted, but not all things are of benefit. All things are permitted, but not all things ^[a](B)build people up.

³ But the one who prophesies speaks to people for ^(A)edification, ^[a](B)exhortation, and consolation. ⁴ The one who ^(C)speaks in a tongue ^(D)edifies himself; but the one who ^(E)prophesies ^(F)edifies the church. ⁵ Now I wish that you all ^(G)spoke in tongues, but ^(H)rather that you would prophesy; and greater is the one who prophesies than the one who ^(I)speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may receive ^(J)edification.

⁶ But now, brothers and sisters, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit you unless I speak to you either by way of ^(K)revelation, or of ^(L)knowledge, or of ^(M)prophecy, or of ^(N)teaching? ⁷ Yet even lifeless instruments, whether flute or harp, in producing a sound, if they do not produce a distinction in the tones, how will it be known what is played on the flute or on the harp? ⁸ For if ^(O)the trumpet produces an indistinct sound, who will prepare himself for battle? ⁹ So you too, unless you produce intelligible speech by the tongue, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will just be ^(P)talking to the air. ¹⁰ There are, perhaps, a great many kinds of ^[b]languages in the world, and none is incapable of meaning. ¹¹ So if I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be ^(Q)unintelligible to the one who speaks, and the one who speaks will be unintelligible ^[c]to me. ¹² So you too, since you are eager to possess ^[d]spiritual gifts, strive to excel for the ^(R)edification of the church.

¹³ Therefore, one who speaks in a tongue is to pray that he may interpret. ¹⁴ For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unproductive. ^15 (S)What is the outcome then? I will pray with the spirit, but I will pray with the mind also; I will ^(T)sing with the spirit, but I will sing with the mind also. ¹⁶ For otherwise, if you bless God ^[e]in the spirit only, how will the one who occupies the place of the ^[f]outsider know to say ^(U)the “Amen” at your ^(V)giving of thanks, since he does not understand what you are saying? ¹⁷ For you are giving thanks well enough, but the other person is not ^(W)edified. ¹⁸ I thank God, I speak in tongues more than you all; ¹⁹ nevertheless, in church I prefer to speak five words with my mind so that I may instruct others also, rather than ten thousand words in a tongue.

Instruction for the Church

^20 (X)Brothers and sisters, ^(Y)do not be children in your thinking; yet in evil ^(Z)be infants, but in your thinking be mature. ²¹ In ^(AA)the ^[g]Law it is written: “^(AB)By men of strange tongues and by the lips of strangers I will speak to this people, and even so they will not listen to Me,” says the Lord. ²² So then, tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but ^(AC)prophecy is not for unbelievers, but for those who believe. ²³ Therefore if the whole church gathers together and all the people speak in tongues, and ^[h]outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say that ^(AD)you are insane? ²⁴ But if all ^(AE)prophesy, and an unbeliever or an ^[i]outsider enters, he is ^(AF)convicted by all, he is called to account by all; ^25 (AG)the secrets of his heart are disclosed; and so he will ^(AH)fall on his face and worship God, ^(AI)declaring that God is certainly among you.

^26 (AJ)What is the outcome then, ^(AK)brothers and sisters? When you assemble, ^(AL)each one has a ^(AM)psalm, has a ^(AN)teaching, has a ^(AO)revelation, has a ^(AP)tongue, has an ^(AQ)interpretation. ^(AR)All things are to be done for edification. ²⁷ If anyone speaks in a ^(AS)tongue, it must be by two or at the most three, and each one in turn, and one is to ^(AT)interpret; ²⁸ but if there is no interpreter, he is to keep silent in church; and have him speak to himself and to God. ²⁹ Have two or three ^(AU)prophets speak, and have the others ^(AV)pass judgment. ³⁰ But if a revelation is made to another who is seated, then the first one is to keep silent. ³¹ For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all may be ^[j]exhorted; ³² and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets; ³³ for God is not a God of ^(AW)confusion, but of peace.

As in ^(AX)all the churches of the ^[k](AY)saints, ³⁴ the women are to ^(AZ)keep silent in the churches; for they are not permitted to speak, but ^(BA)are to subject themselves, just as ^(BB)the Law also says. ³⁵ If they desire to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is ^[l]improper for a woman to speak in church. ³⁶ Or was it from you that the word of God first went out? Or has it come to you only?

^37 (BC)If anyone thinks that he is a prophet or ^(BD)spiritual, let him recognize that the things which I write to you ^(BE)are the Lord’s commandment. ³⁸ But if anyone does not recognize this, ^[m]he is not recognized.

³⁹ Therefore, my brothers and sisters, ^(BF)earnestly desire to ^(BG)prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. ⁴⁰ But ^(BH)all things must be done properly and in an orderly way.

^26 (A)What is the outcome then, ^(B)brothers and sisters? When you assemble, ^(C)each one has a ^(D)psalm, has a ^(E)teaching, has a ^(F)revelation, has a ^(G)tongue, has an ^(H)interpretation. ^(I)All things are to be done for edification.

¹⁹ All this time ^[a]you have been thinking that we are defending ourselves to you. Actually, ^(A)it is in the sight of God that we have been speaking in Christ; and ^(B)all for building you up, ^(C)beloved.

^12 (A)for the equipping of the ^[a]saints for the work of ministry, for the building up of ^(B)the body of Christ;

²⁹ Let no ^[a](A)unwholesome word come out of your mouth, but if there is any good word for ^(B)edification ^[b]according to the need of the moment, say that, so that it will give grace to those who hear.