1 Corinthians 14:13-19

Expanded Bible

¹³ [^LTherefore] The one who has the gift of ·speaking in a different language [or ecstatic utterance; ^Ltongues] should pray for the gift to interpret what is spoken. ¹⁴ If I pray ·in a different language [or with ecstatic utterance; ^Lin a tongue], my spirit is praying, but my mind ·does nothing [^Lis unfruitful]. ¹⁵ So what should I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind. I will ·sing [sing praises/psalms] with my spirit, but I will also ·sing [sing praises/psalms] with my mind. ¹⁶ [^LOtherwise] If you ·praise God [or pronounce a blessing] with your spirit, those persons there ·without understanding [or without the gift; or who are inquirers/seekers; vv. 23, 24] cannot say “Amen” [^Cfrom a Hebrew term meaning “it is true”; 1 Chr. 16:36] to your prayer of thanks, because they do not know what you are saying. ¹⁷ You may be thanking God ·in a good way [well enough], but the other person is not ·helped [edified; built up].

¹⁸ I thank God that I speak ·in different kinds of languages [or with ecstatic utterance; ^Lin tongues] more than all of you. ¹⁹ But in the church meetings I would rather speak five words ·I understand [^Lwith my mind] in order to teach others than thousands of words ·in a different language [or with ecstatic utterance; ^Lin a tongue].