1 Corinthians 14:1-5

New Matthew Bible

Paul shows that the gift of prophecy (that is, of interpreting or preaching) excels the gift of languages, and how they both ought to be used.

14 Labour for love, and covet spiritual gifts, and most chiefly to prophesy. ² For he who speaks in an unknown tongue speaks not to people, but to God, for no one understands him. However, in the Spirit he speaks mysteries. ³ But he who prophesies speaks to people, for edifying, for exhortation, and for comfort. ⁴ He who speaks in an unknown tongue, profits himself; he who prophesies, edifies the congregation.

⁵ I would that you all spoke with tongues, but rather that you prophesied. For greater is he who prophesies than he who speaks with tongues – unless he expounds it also, so that the congregation may have edifying.