1 Corinthians 14:13-19

The Voice

¹³ So anyone who speaks in an unknown language should pray for the ability to interpret ¹⁴ because if I pray in such a language, although my spirit prays, my mind isn’t productive. ¹⁵ What do I do then? I pray. I pray with my spirit but also with my mind engaged; I sing with my spirit but also with my mind engaged. ¹⁶ If you speak a word of blessing in the spirit only, then how will an uninformed person who can’t understand your prayer say “Amen” when you are done giving thanks? ¹⁷ Even though you give thanks to God well, the unknowing person doesn’t benefit. ¹⁸ I thank God that I speak in unknown languages more than the rest of you; ¹⁹ but when the church gathers, I would rather speak five words with my mind so I can be understood and train others than utter 10,000 exotic words.