1. Pursue love, and earnestly seek the spiritual gifts, but rather that you prophesy.
2. For he who is speaking in a tongue does not speak to men but to Elohim, for no one understands, but in the Spirit he speaks secrets.
3. But he who is prophesying speaks upbuilding and encouragement and comfort to men.
4. He who is speaking in a tongue builds up himself, but he who is prophesying builds up the assembly.
5. Now I wish you all spoke with tongues, but rather that you might prophesy, for he who is prophesying is greater than he who is speaking with tongues, unless he interprets, so that the assembly might receive upbuilding.
6. But now, brothers, if I come to you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you unless I speak to you, either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by teaching?
7. Nevertheless, lifeless instruments making a sound, whether flute or harp, if they do not make a distinction in the sound, how shall it be known what is played on the flute or on the harp?
8. For indeed, if the trumpet makes an indistinct sound, who shall prepare himself for battle?
9. So also you, if you do not give speech by the tongue that is clear, how shall it be known what is spoken? For you shall be speaking into the air.
10. There are, undoubtedly, so many kinds of sounds in the world, and none of them is without distinct sound.
11. If then I do not know the power of the voice, I shall be a foreigner to him who speaks, and he who speaks be a foreigner to me.
12. So also you, since you are ardent for spiritual gifts, seek to excel in the upbuilding of the assembly.
13. Therefore, he who is speaking in a tongue, let him pray that he might interpret.
14. For if I am praying in a tongue, my spirit is praying, but my understanding is without fruit.