1 Corinthians 14:9-19

9It is the same for you. If you do not speak clearly with your tongue, how will anyone know what is being said? For you will be speaking into the air.

10There are probably many kinds of languages in the world, and none is without meaning.

11If then I do not know the meaning of a language, I will be a foreigner to the speaker and the speaker a foreigner to me.

12It is the same with you. Since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, seek to abound in order to strengthen the church.

13So then, one who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret.

14If I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unproductive.

15What should I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind. I will sing praises with my spirit, but I will also sing praises with my mind.

16Otherwise, if you are praising God with your spirit, how can someone without the gift say “Amen” to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying?

17For you are certainly giving thanks well, but the other person is not strengthened.

18I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you,

19but in the church I want to speak five words with my mind to instruct others, rather than ten thousand words in a tongue.