1 Corinthians 14:2-19

2When a person speaks in another language, he doesn’t speak to people but to God. No one understands him. His spirit is speaking mysteries.

3But when a person speaks what God has revealed, he speaks to people to help them grow, to encourage them, and to comfort them.

4When a person speaks in another language, he helps himself grow. But when a person speaks what God has revealed, he helps the church grow.

5I wish that all of you could speak in other languages, but especially that you could speak what God has revealed. The person who speaks what God has revealed is more important than the person who speaks in other languages. This is true unless he can interpret what he says to help the church grow.

6Brothers and sisters, it wouldn’t do you any good if I came to you speaking in other languages, unless I explained revelation, knowledge, prophecy, or doctrine to you.

7Musical instruments like the flute or harp produce sounds. If there is no difference in the notes, how can a person tell what tune is being played?

8For example, if the trumpet doesn’t sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle?

9In the same way, if you don’t speak in a way that can be understood, how will anyone know what you’re saying? You will be talking into thin air.

10No matter how many different languages there are in the world, not one of them is without meaning.

11If I don’t know what a language means, I will be a foreigner to the person who speaks it and that person will be a foreigner to me.

12In the same way, since you’re eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in them so that you help the church grow.

13So the person who speaks in another language should pray for an interpretation of what he says.

14If I pray in another language, my spirit prays, but my mind is not productive.

15So what does this mean? It means that I will pray with my spirit, and I will pray with my mind. I will sing psalms with my spirit, and I will sing psalms with my mind.

16Otherwise, if you praise God only with your spirit, how can outsiders say “Amen!” to your prayer of thanksgiving? They don’t know what you’re saying.

17Your prayer of thanksgiving may be very good, but it doesn’t help other people grow.

18I thank God that I speak in other languages more than any of you.

19Yet, in order to teach others in church, I would rather say five words that can be understood than ten thousand words in another language.