1 Corinthians 14:13-19
New International Version
13 For this reason the one who speaks in a tongue should pray that they may interpret what they say.(A) 14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays,(B) but my mind is unfruitful. 15 So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit,(C) but I will also pray with my understanding; I will sing(D) with my spirit, but I will also sing with my understanding. 16 Otherwise when you are praising God in the Spirit, how can someone else, who is now put in the position of an inquirer,[a] say “Amen”(E) to your thanksgiving,(F) since they do not know what you are saying? 17 You are giving thanks well enough, but no one else is edified.(G)
18 I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. 19 But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.(H)
Footnotes
- 1 Corinthians 14:16 The Greek word for inquirer is a technical term for someone not fully initiated into a religion; also in verses 23 and 24.
1 Corinthians 14:13-19
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
13 Therefore, one who speaks in a tongue should pray for the power to interpret. 14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays but my mind is unproductive. 15 What should I do then? I will pray with the spirit, but I will pray with the mind also; I will sing praise with the spirit, but I will sing praise with the mind also.(A) 16 Otherwise, if you say a blessing with the spirit, how can anyone in the position of an outsider say the “Amen” to your thanksgiving, since the outsider does not know what you are saying?(B) 17 For you may give thanks well enough, but the other person is not built up.(C) 18 I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you; 19 nevertheless, in church I would rather speak five words with my mind, in order to instruct others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue.
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