1 Corinthians 14:2-19

2For the one who 1speaks in a tongue does not speak to people, but to God; for no one 2understands, but 3in his spirit he speaks 4mysteries. 3But the one who prophesies speaks to people for 5edification, 67exhortation, and consolation. 4The one who 8speaks in a tongue 9edifies himself; but the one who 10prophesies 11edifies the church. 5Now I wish that you all 12spoke in tongues, but 13rather that you would prophesy; and greater is the one who prophesies than the one who 14speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may receive 15edification.

6But now, brothers and sisters, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit you unless I speak to you either by way of 16revelation, or of 17knowledge, or of 18prophecy, or of 19teaching? 7Yet even lifeless instruments, whether 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 20the trumpet produces an indistinct sound, who will prepare himself for battle? 9So you too, unless you produce intelligible speech by the tongue, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will just be 21talking to the air. 10There are, perhaps, a great many kinds of 22languages in the world, and none is incapable of meaning. 11So if I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be 23unintelligible to the one who speaks, and the one who speaks will be unintelligible 24to me. 12So you too, since you are eager to possess 25spiritual gifts, strive to excel for the 26edification of the church.

13Therefore, one who speaks in a tongue is to pray that he may interpret. 14For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unproductive. 1527What is the outcome then? I will pray with the spirit, but I will pray with the mind also; I will 28sing with the spirit, but I will sing with the mind also. 16For otherwise, if you bless God 29in the spirit only, how will the one who occupies the place of the 30outsider know to say 31the “Amen” at your 32giving of thanks, since he does not understand what you are saying? 17For you are giving thanks well enough, but the other person is not 33edified. 18I thank God, I speak in tongues more than you all; 19nevertheless, in church I prefer to speak five words with my mind so that I may instruct others also, rather than ten thousand words in a tongue.