1 Corinthians 14:9-19

9In the same way, unless you use your tongue for intelligible speech, how will what is spoken be known? For you will be speaking into the air.

10There are doubtless many different kinds of languages in the world, none is without meaning.

11Therefore, if I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be a foreigner to the speaker, and the speaker will be a foreigner to me.

12So also you — since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, seek to excel in building up the church.

13Therefore the person who speaks in a tongue should pray that he can interpret.

14For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.

15What then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with my understanding. I will sing praise with the spirit, and I will also sing praise with my understanding.

16Otherwise, if you praise with the spirit, how will the outsider say “Amen” at your giving of thanks, since he does not know what you are saying?

17For you may very well be giving thanks, but the other person is not being built up.

18I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you;

19yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, in order to teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue.