1. Follow after charity and earnestly pursue spiritual gifts, but above all, that ye may prophesy.
2. For he that speaks in an unknown tongue speaks not unto men, but unto God, for no one understands him, even though by the Spirit he speaks mysteries.
3. But he that prophesies speaks unto men for edification and exhortation and comfort.
4. He that speaks in an unknown tongue edifies himself, but he that prophesies edifies the congregation {Gr. ekklesia – called out ones}.
5. I would that ye all spoke with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied, for greater is he that prophesies than he that speaks with tongues, unless he interprets, that the congregation {Gr. ekklesia – called out ones} may receive edifying.
6. Now, brothers, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you unless I speak to you either with revelation or with knowledge or with prophecy or with doctrine?
7. And even things without life giving sound, whether flute or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is played or harped?
8. For if the trumpet gives an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?
9. So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue a clear and definite word, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air.
10. There are many kinds of distinct voices in the world, and nothing is dumb.
11. Therefore, if I ignore the virtue of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaks as a barbarian, and he that speaks shall be a barbarian unto me.
12. Even so ye, forasmuch as ye desire the things of the Spirit, earnestly pursue excellence unto the edification of the congregation {Gr. ekklesia – called out ones}.