1 Corinthians 14:13-19

New International Reader's Version

¹³ So here is what the person who speaks in languages they had not known before should do. They should pray that they can explain what they say. ¹⁴ If I pray in another language, my spirit prays. But my mind does not pray. ¹⁵ So what should I do? I will pray with my spirit. But I will also pray with my understanding. I will sing with my spirit. But I will also sing with my understanding. ¹⁶ Suppose you are praising God in the Spirit. And suppose there are visitors among you who want to know what’s going on. How can they say “Amen” when you give thanks? They don’t know what you are saying. ¹⁷ You are certainly giving thanks. But no one else is being built up.

¹⁸ I thank God that I speak in other languages more than all of you do. ¹⁹ In the church, I wouldn’t want to speak 10,000 words in an unfamiliar language. I’d rather speak five words in a language people could understand. Then I would be teaching others.