Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

14 ¹ Be pursuing^[a] love.

Be Zealous For Spiritual Gifts, But Especially To Prophesy And Edify The Church

Now be zealous-for the spiritual gifts, but even-more^[b] that you might be prophesying. ² For the one speaking in a tongue is not speaking^[c] to people, but to God— for no one hears^[d], but he speaks mysteries^[e] with his spirit^[f]. ³ But the one prophesying is speaking edification and exhortation and consolation^[g] to people. ⁴ The one speaking in a tongue is edifying himself ^[h], but the one prophesying is edifying the church. ⁵ And I wish^[i] that you all were speaking in tongues, but even-more^[j] that you might be prophesying. But^[k] the one prophesying is greater^[l] than one speaking in tongues— unless^[m] he interprets in order that the church may receive edification.

Speaking In Tongues Is Just Speaking Into The Air Unless It Is Understood

⁶ But now^[n], brothers, if I come to you speaking^[o] in tongues, what will I profit you unless I speak to you either^[p] by^[q] a revelation or by knowledge or by a prophecy or by a teaching? ⁷ Likewise the lifeless things giving a sound— whether a flute or harp— if it does not give a distinction in the tones, how will the thing being fluted or the thing being harped be known? ⁸ For indeed, if a trumpet gives an uncertain sound, who will prepare himself for battle? ⁹ So also you with the tongue— if you do not give a clear word, how will the thing being spoken be known? For you will be speaking into the air! ¹⁰ There are perhaps so-many kinds of spoken sounds^[r] in the world, and none is meaningless. ¹¹ If then I do not know the force of the spoken sound, I will be a barbarian to the one speaking, and the one speaking a barbarian with me. ¹² So also^[s] you— since you are zealots^[t] for spiritual gifts, be seeking that you may abound for the edification of the church.