1 Corinthians 14:5-18

⁵Now I desire to have you all speak with other languages, but rather that you would prophesy. For he is greater who prophesies than he who speaks with other languages, unless he interprets, that the assembly may be built up. ⁶But now, brothers, if I come to you speaking with other languages, what would I profit you, unless I speak to you either by way of revelation, or of knowledge, or of prophesying, or of teaching? ⁷Even things without life, giving a voice, whether pipe or harp, if they didn’t give a distinction in the sounds, how would it be known what is piped or harped? ⁸For if the trumpet gave an uncertain sound, who would prepare himself for war? ⁹So also you, unless you uttered by the tongue words easy to understand, how would it be known what is spoken? For you would be speaking into the air. ¹⁰There are, it may be, so many kinds of sounds in the world, and none of them is without meaning. ¹¹If then I don’t know the meaning of the sound, I would be to him who speaks a foreigner, and he who speaks would be a foreigner to me. ¹²So also you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, seek that you may abound to the building up of the assembly. ¹³Therefore let him who speaks in another language pray that he may interpret. ¹⁴For if I pray in another language, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. ¹⁵What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also. I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also. ¹⁶Otherwise if you bless with the spirit, how will he who fills the place of the unlearned say the “Amen” at your giving of thanks, seeing he doesn’t know what you say? ¹⁷For you most certainly give thanks well, but the other person is not built up. ¹⁸I thank my God, I speak with other languages more than you all. 1 Corinthians 14:5-18