1 Corinthians 14:7-19

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 1the 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 2talking to the air. 10There are, perhaps, a great many kinds of 3languages in the world, and none is incapable of meaning. 11So if I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be 4unintelligible to the one who speaks, and the one who speaks will be unintelligible 5to me. 12So you too, since you are eager to possess 6spiritual gifts, strive to excel for the 7edification 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. 158What is the outcome then? I will pray with the spirit, but I will pray with the mind also; I will 9sing with the spirit, but I will sing with the mind also. 16For otherwise, if you bless God 10in the spirit only, how will the one who occupies the place of the 11outsider know to say 12the “Amen” at your 13giving of thanks, since he does not understand what you are saying? 17For you are giving thanks well enough, but the other person is not 14edified. 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.