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19 But in a church meeting I would rather speak five understandable words to help others than ten thousand words in an unknown language.

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21 It is written in the Scriptures[a]:

“I will speak to my own people
    through strange languages
    and through the lips of foreigners.
But even then, they will not listen to me,”[b]
    says the Lord.

22 So you see that speaking in tongues is a sign, not for believers, but for unbelievers. Prophecy, however, is for the benefit of believers, not unbelievers.

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Footnotes

  1. 14:21a Greek in the law.
  2. 14:21b Isa 28:11-12.

A person who speaks in tongues is strengthened personally, but one who speaks a word of prophecy strengthens the entire church.

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