13 Therefore, one who speaks in a tongue is to pray that he may interpret. 14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unproductive. 15 (A)What is the outcome then? I will pray with the spirit, but I will pray with the mind also; I will (B)sing with the spirit, but I will sing with the mind also. 16 For otherwise, if you bless God [a]in the spirit only, how will the one who occupies the place of the [b]outsider know to say (C)the “Amen” at your (D)giving of thanks, since he does not understand what you are saying? 17 For you are giving thanks well enough, but the other person is not (E)edified. 18 I thank God, I speak in tongues more than you all; 19 nevertheless, in church I prefer to speak five words with my mind so that I may instruct others also, rather than ten thousand words in a tongue.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 14:16 Or with the
  2. 1 Corinthians 14:16 Lit private person

13 Therefore, the person who speaks in a foreign language should pray for the ability to interpret it. 14 For if I pray in a foreign language, my spirit prays but my mind is not productive. 15 What does this mean? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind. I will sing psalms with my spirit, but I will also sing psalms with my mind. 16 Otherwise, if you say a blessing with your spirit, how can an otherwise uneducated person[a] say “Amen” to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you’re saying? 17 It’s good for you to give thanks, but it does not build up the other person. 18 I thank God that I speak in foreign languages more than all of you. 19 But in church I would rather speak five words with my mind to instruct others than 10,000 words in a foreign language.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 14:16 Lit. the person who occupies the place of the uneducated