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13 Therefore let him who speaks in an unknown tongue pray such that he may interpret also. 14 If I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding brings no one fruit. 15 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and will pray with the meaning also. I will sing with the spirit, and will sing with the meaning also. 16 For otherwise, when you bless with the spirit, how can the person who is unlearned say Amen at your giving of thanks, seeing he does not understand what you say? 17 You give thanks well, but the other is not edified. 18 I thank my God that I speak with tongues more than you all, 19 yet in the congregation I would rather speak five words with my meaning for the information of others, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.

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13 Wherefore, let him that speaketh a strange tongue, [a]pray that he may interpret.

14 [b]For [c]if I pray in a strange tongue, my [d]spirit prayeth: but mine understanding is [e]without fruit.

15 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, but I will pray with the [f]understanding also: I will sing with the spirit: but I will sing with the understanding also.

16 [g]Else, when thou blessest with the [h]spirit, how shall he that [i]occupieth the room of the unlearned, say [j]Amen, at thy giving of thanks, seeing he knowest not what thou sayest?

17 For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.

18 [k]I thank my God, I speak languages more than ye all.

19 Yet had I rather in the Church to speak [l]five words with mine understanding, that I might also instruct others, than ten thousand words in a strange tongue.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 14:13 Pray for the gift of interpretation.
  2. 1 Corinthians 14:14 A reason: Because it is not sufficient for us to speak so in the Congregation, that we ourselves do worship God in spirit, that is, according to the gift that we have received, but we must also be understood of the company, lest that be unprofitable to others which we have spoken.
  3. 1 Corinthians 14:14 If I pray, when the church is assembled together, in a strange tongue.
  4. 1 Corinthians 14:14 The gift and inspiration which the spirit giveth me, doeth his part, but only to myself.
  5. 1 Corinthians 14:14 No fruit cometh to the Church by my prayers.
  6. 1 Corinthians 14:15 So that I may be understood of others, and may instruct others.
  7. 1 Corinthians 14:16 Another reason: Seeing that the whole Congregation must agree to him that speaketh, and also witness this agreement, how shall they give their assent or agreement which know not what is spoken?
  8. 1 Corinthians 14:16 Only without all consideration of the hearers.
  9. 1 Corinthians 14:16 He that sitteth as a private man.
  10. 1 Corinthians 14:16 So then one uttered the prayers, and all the company answered, Amen.
  11. 1 Corinthians 14:18 He propoundeth himself for an example, both that they may be ashamed of their foolish ambition, and also that he may eschew all suspicion of envy.
  12. 1 Corinthians 14:19 A very few words.

13 Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret. 14 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth but my understanding is unfruitful. 15 What 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. 16 Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest? 17 For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.

18 I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all: 19 yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.

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