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14 Follow after love and earnestly desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. For he who speaks in another language speaks not to men, but to God; for no one understands; but in the Spirit he speaks mysteries. But he who prophesies speaks to men for their edification, exhortation, and consolation. He who speaks in another language edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the assembly. Now I desire to have you all speak with other languages, but rather that you would prophesy. For he is greater who prophesies than he who speaks with other languages, unless he interprets, that the assembly may be built up.

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Prophecy: A Superior Gift

14 Pursue love and desire spiritual gifts, and especially that you may prophesy. For the person who speaks in a tongue[a](A) is not speaking to people but to God, since no one understands him; he speaks mysteries in the Spirit.[b] On the other hand, the person who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening,[c] encouragement, and consolation. The person who speaks in a tongue builds himself up, but the one who prophesies builds up the church. I wish all of you spoke in tongues,[d] but even more that you prophesied. The person who prophesies is greater than the person who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets so that the church may be built up.

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Footnotes

  1. 14:2 Or another language, also in vv. 4,13,14,19,26,27
  2. 14:2 Or in spirit, or in his spirit
  3. 14:3 Lit building up
  4. 14:5 Or other languages, also in vv. 6,18,21,22,23,39