1 Corinthians 14:4-19

4One who 1speaks in a tongue 2edifies himself; but one who 3prophesies 4edifies the church. 5Now I wish that you all 5spoke in tongues, but 6even more that you would prophesy; and greater is one who prophesies than one who 7speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may receive 8edifying.

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 9revelation or of 10knowledge or of 11prophecy or of 12teaching? 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 13the 14bugle 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 15speaking into the air. 10There are, perhaps, a great many kinds of 16languages 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 1718barbarian, and the one who speaks will be a 19barbarian 20to me. 12So also you, since you are zealous of 21spiritual gifts, seek to abound for the 22edification 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. 1523What is the outcome then? I will pray with the spirit and I will pray with the mind also; I will 24sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also. 16Otherwise if you bless 25in the spirit only, how will the one who fills the place of the 26ungifted say 27the “Amen” at your 28giving of thanks, since he does not know what you are saying? 17For you are giving thanks well enough, but the other person is not 29edified. 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.