NSB(i)
1 Pursue love, yet zealously desire spiritual gifts, especially prophesy (proclaiming God’s Word).
2 For the person who speaks in an unknown tongue does not speak to men, but to God. No man understands him. He speaks secrets by the spirit.
3 But the person who prophesies (proclaims God’s Word openly) speaks to men to build up, encourage and comfort.
4 The person who speaks in an unknown tongue enlightens himself; but he who declares God’s Word enlightens the entire congregation!
5 I would like it that you all speak with tongues, but I prefer that you prophesy. The person who announces (teaches) (preaches) God’s Word is greater than the person who speaks with tongues. The person who speaks with tongues should have an interpreter so the congregation may receive understanding and knowledge.
6 Now, brothers, if I come to you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?
7 Inanimate objects that make a sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?
8 If the trumpet gives an unclear sound, who will prepare himself for the battle?
9 The same for you unless you utter by the tongue words easy to understand, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will speak into the air.
10 There are many kinds of languages in the world, and none of them is without meaning.
11 Therefore if I do not know the meaning of what someone is saying I will be a foreigner to him that speaks. And he that speaks will be a foreigner to me too.
12 As much as you are zealous for spiritual gifts, strive to build-up (increase) the enlightenment (understanding) of the congregation.
13 Let the one who speaks in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret what he says.
14 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding (mind) is unfruitful.
15 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding (Greek: nous: mind) also. I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding (mind) also.
16 When you bless with the spirit, how will the audience of the unlearned say Amen at your giving of thanks, seeing he does not understand what you said?
17 For you give thanks well, but the other is not given understanding.
18 I thank God that I speak with tongues more then all of you.