哥林多前书第十四章第1—28节，保罗劝说哥林多教会的弟兄们多多地切慕属灵的恩赐，特别是能够作先知讲道，即说预言的恩赐。这是因为预言容易被人理解和领受，从而能够造就、安慰和劝勉人。说方言也是一种属灵恩赐，能够在圣灵里讲说各样的奥秘，但很多人是听不懂的，人听不懂，怎么能得到造就呢？因此，既是切慕属灵的恩赐，就当寻求能够造就教会的恩赐，比如不但有说方言的恩赐，也有将其翻译出来的恩赐，从而人能听懂，就能造就教会。这样，聚会的时候，各人或有诗歌、或有教导、或有启示、或有方言、或有方言翻译，彼此造就，福音就得以坚固。

林前14:1 你们要追求爱、也要切慕属灵的恩赐、其中更要羡慕的、是作先知讲道。〔原文作是说预言下同〕
Follow after love, and earnestly desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.
林前14:2 那说方言的、原不是对人说、乃是对 神说．因为没有人听出来．然而他在心灵里、却是讲说各样的奥秘。
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.
林前14:3 但作先知讲道的、是对人说、要造就、安慰、劝勉人。
But he who prophesies speaks to men for their edification, exhortation, and consolation.
林前14:5 我愿意你们都说方言．更愿意你们作先知讲道．因为说方言的、若不翻出来、使教会被造就、那作先知讲道的、就比他强了。
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.
林前14:6 弟兄们、我到你们那里去、若只说方言、不用启示、或知识、或预言、或教训、给你们讲解、我与你们有甚么益处呢。
But now, brothers, if I come to you speaking with other languages, what would I profit you, unless I speak to you either by way of revelation, or of knowledge, or of prophesying, or of teaching?
林前14:9 你们也是如此、舌头若不说容易明白的话、怎能知道所说的是甚么呢．这就是向空说话了。
So also you, unless you uttered by the tongue words easy to understand, how would it be known what is spoken? For you would be speaking into the air.
林前14:12 你们也是如此．既是切慕属灵的恩赐、就当求多得造就教会的恩赐。
So also you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, seek that you may abound to the building up of the assembly.
林前14:13 所以那说方言的、就当求着能翻出来。
Therefore let him who speaks in another language pray that he may interpret.
林前14:19 但在教会中、宁可用悟性说五句教导人的话、强如说万句方言。
However in the assembly I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I might instruct others also, than ten thousand words in another language.
林前14:22 这样看来、说方言、不是为信的人作证据、乃是为不信的人．作先知讲道、不是为不信的人作证据、乃是为信的人。
Therefore other languages are for a sign, not to those who believe, but to the unbelieving; but prophesying is for a sign, not to the unbelieving, but to those who believe.
林前14:26 弟兄们、这却怎么样呢．你们聚会的时候、各人或有诗歌、或有教训、或有启示、或有方言、或有翻出来的话．凡事都当造就人。
What is it then, brothers? When you come together, each one of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has another language, has an interpretation. Let all things be done to build each other up.