¹⁰ to another miraculous powers,^(A) to another prophecy,^(B) to another distinguishing between spirits,^(C) to another speaking in different kinds of tongues,^[a](D) and to still another the interpretation of tongues.^{[b] 11} All these are the work of one and the same Spirit,^(E) and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.

Unity and Diversity in the Body

¹² Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body,^(F) so it is with Christ.^{(G) 13} For we were all baptized^(H) by^[c] one Spirit^(I) so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free^(J)—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.^{(K) 14} Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.^(L)

¹⁵ Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. ¹⁶ And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. ¹⁷ If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? ¹⁸ But in fact God has placed^(M) the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.^{(N) 19} If they were all one part, where would the body be? ²⁰ As it is, there are many parts, but one body.^(O)

²¹ The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” ²² On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, ²³ and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, ²⁴ while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, ²⁵ so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. ²⁶ If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

²⁷ Now you are the body of Christ,^(P) and each one of you is a part of it.^{(Q) 28} And God has placed in the church^(R) first of all apostles,^(S) second prophets,^(T) third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing,^(U) of helping, of guidance,^(V) and of different kinds of tongues.^{(W) 29} Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? ³⁰ Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues^[d]?^(X) Do all interpret? ³¹ Now eagerly desire^(Y) the greater gifts.

Love Is Indispensable

And yet I will show you the most excellent way.

13 If I speak in the tongues^[e](Z) of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. ² If I have the gift of prophecy^(AA) and can fathom all mysteries^(AB) and all knowledge,^(AC) and if I have a faith^(AD) that can move mountains,^(AE) but do not have love, I am nothing. ³ If I give all I possess to the poor^(AF) and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,^[f](AG) but do not have love, I gain nothing.

⁴ Love is patient,^(AH) love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.^{(AI) 5} It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking,^(AJ) it is not easily angered,^(AK) it keeps no record of wrongs.^{(AL) 6} Love does not delight in evil^(AM) but rejoices with the truth.^{(AN) 7} It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.^(AO)

⁸ Love never fails. But where there are prophecies,^(AP) they will cease; where there are tongues,^(AQ) they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. ⁹ For we know in part^(AR) and we prophesy in part, ¹⁰ but when completeness comes,^(AS) what is in part disappears. ¹¹ When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood^(AT) behind me. ¹² For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror;^(AU) then we shall see face to face.^(AV) Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.^(AW)

¹³ And now these three remain: faith, hope and love.^(AX) But the greatest of these is love.^(AY)

Intelligibility in Worship

14 Follow the way of love^(AZ) and eagerly desire^(BA) gifts of the Spirit,^(BB) especially prophecy.^{(BC) 2} For anyone who speaks in a tongue^[g](BD) does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them;^(BE) they utter mysteries^(BF) by the Spirit. ³ But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening,^(BG) encouraging^(BH) and comfort. ⁴ Anyone who speaks in a tongue^(BI) edifies^(BJ) themselves, but the one who prophesies^(BK) edifies the church. ⁵ I would like every one of you to speak in tongues,^[h] but I would rather have you prophesy.^(BL) The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues,^[i] unless someone interprets, so that the church may be edified.^(BM)

⁶ Now, brothers and sisters, if I come to you and speak in tongues, what good will I be to you, unless I bring you some revelation^(BN) or knowledge^(BO) or prophecy or word of instruction?^{(BP) 7} Even in the case of lifeless things that make sounds, such as the pipe or harp, how will anyone know what tune is being played unless there is a distinction in the notes? ⁸ Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle?^{(BQ) 9} So it is with you. Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air. ¹⁰ Undoubtedly there are all sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning. ¹¹ If then I do not grasp the meaning of what someone is saying, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and the speaker is a foreigner to me.^{(BR) 12} So it is with you. Since you are eager for gifts of the Spirit,^(BS) try to excel in those that build up^(BT) the church.

¹³ For this reason the one who speaks in a tongue should pray that they may interpret what they say.^{(BU) 14} For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays,^(BV) but my mind is unfruitful. ¹⁵ So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit,^(BW) but I will also pray with my understanding; I will sing^(BX) with my spirit, but I will also sing with my understanding. ¹⁶ Otherwise when you are praising God in the Spirit, how can someone else, who is now put in the position of an inquirer,^[j] say “Amen”^(BY) to your thanksgiving,^(BZ) since they do not know what you are saying? ¹⁷ You are giving thanks well enough, but no one else is edified.^(CA)

¹⁸ I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. ¹⁹ But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.^(CB)

²⁰ Brothers and sisters, stop thinking like children.^(CC) In regard to evil be infants,^(CD) but in your thinking be adults. ²¹ In the Law^(CE) it is written:

²² Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy,^(CG) however, is not for unbelievers but for believers. ²³ So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and inquirers or unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind?^{(CH) 24} But if an unbeliever or an inquirer comes in while everyone is prophesying, they are convicted of sin and are brought under judgment by all, ²⁵ as the secrets^(CI) of their hearts are laid bare. So they will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, “God is really among you!”^(CJ)

Good Order in Worship

²⁶ What then shall we say, brothers and sisters?^(CK) When you come together, each of you^(CL) has a hymn,^(CM) or a word of instruction,^(CN) a revelation, a tongue^(CO) or an interpretation.^(CP) Everything must be done so that the church may be built up.^{(CQ) 27} If anyone speaks in a tongue, two—or at the most three—should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret. ²⁸ If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and to God.

²⁹ Two or three prophets^(CR) should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said.^{(CS) 30} And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop.