1 Corinthians 14

¹Follow after love, and be emulous of spiritual [manifestations], but rather that ye may prophesy.

²For he that speaks with a tongue does not speak to men but to God: for no one hears; but in spirit he speaks mysteries.

³But he that prophesies speaks to men [in] edification, and encouragement, and consolation.

⁴He that speaks with a tongue edifies himself; but he that prophesies edifies [the] assembly.

⁵Now I desire that ye should all speak with tongues, but rather that ye should prophesy. But greater is he that prophesies than he that speaks with tongues, unless he interpret, that the assembly may receive edification.

⁶And now, brethren, if I come to you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, unless I shall speak to you either in revelation, or in knowledge, or in prophecy, or in teaching?

⁷Even lifeless things giving a sound, whether pipe or harp, if they give not distinction to the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?

⁸For also, if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself for war?

⁹Thus also ye with the tongue, unless ye give a distinct speech, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye will be speaking to the air.

¹⁰There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of undistinguishable sound.

¹¹If therefore I do not know the power of the sound, I shall be to him that speaks a barbarian, and he that speaks a barbarian for me.