New Testament in a Year

14 So in everything strive to love. Passionately seek the gifts of the Spirit, especially the gift of prophecy. ² You see, a person speaking in an unknown language is not addressing the church because he is really addressing God—those who overhear don’t understand because he is speaking in the Spirit the depths of the mysteries of the Lord. ³ But a person who has the gift of prophecy teaches in a way that builds up the community, draws them near, and comforts them. ⁴ Those who speak in an unknown language only strengthen themselves, but those who prophesy strengthen the community. ⁵ While I’d like for you all to be able to speak by the Spirit in unknown languages, my preference would be for you all to prophesy by the Spirit. Those who speak prophetically are God’s mouthpiece and are far more useful to the church than those who speak in exotic languages—unless there is another who interprets so that the community may be strengthened.

⁶ If I come to you, brothers and sisters, talking in unknown languages, what good would that be for any of you? You receive no benefit unless I speak to you some word of revelation, knowledge, prophecy, or instruction in your own language. ⁷ Look, if inanimate objects, musical instruments like a pipe or harp, don’t make a clear, distinct sound, how would you know what tune is being played? ⁸ If the bugle blares more like a clank, who would know to prepare for battle? ⁹ It’s the same with you. Unless you speak a message in a language everyone understands, they won’t know what you’re talking about. You’ll be talking into the wind. ¹⁰ This world is full of languages, each and every one of them having meaning; ¹¹ but if I don’t understand the meaning of some sound, then I become like a foreigner to the person speaking, and the person speaking will be like a foreigner to me. ¹² It’s the same with you; in your passion for spiritual gifts, seek to strengthen the community of believers, and you will all be better off.

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.

²⁰ Brothers and sisters, don’t think like children. Be innocent of malice but mature in understanding.