1 Corinthians 14:2-19

2For one who 1speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God; for no one 2understands, but 3in his spirit he speaks 4mysteries. 3But one who prophesies speaks to men for 5edification and 6exhortation and consolation. 4One who 7speaks in a tongue 8edifies himself; but one who 9prophesies 10edifies the church. 5Now I wish that you all 11spoke in tongues, but 12even more that you would prophesy; and greater is one who prophesies than one who 13speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may receive 14edifying.

6But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking in tongues, what will I profit you unless I speak to you either by way of 15revelation or of 16knowledge or of 17prophecy or of 18teaching? 7Yet even lifeless things, either flute or harp, in producing a sound, if they do not produce a distinction in the tones, how will it be known what is played on the flute or on the harp? 8For if 19the 20bugle produces an indistinct sound, who will prepare himself for battle? 9So also you, unless you utter by the tongue speech that is clear, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be 21speaking into the air. 10There are, perhaps, a great many kinds of 22languages in the world, and no kind is without meaning. 11If then I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be to the one who speaks a 2324barbarian, and the one who speaks will be a 25barbarian 26to me. 12So also you, since you are zealous of 27spiritual gifts, seek to abound for the 28edification of the church.

13Therefore let one who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret. 14For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. 1529What is the outcome then? I will pray with the spirit and I will pray with the mind also; I will 30sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also. 16Otherwise if you bless 31in the spirit only, how will the one who fills the place of the 32ungifted say 33the “Amen” at your 34giving of thanks, since he does not know what you are saying? 17For you are giving thanks well enough, but the other person is not 35edified. 18I thank God, I speak in tongues more than you all; 19however, in the church I desire to speak five words with my mind so that I may instruct others also, rather than ten thousand words in a tongue.