11. So unless I understand the meaning of what someone says to me, we will be like strangers to each other.
12. It is the same with you. You want spiritual gifts very much. So try most to have the gifts that help the church grow stronger.
13. The one who has the gift of speaking in a different language should pray that he can also interpret what he says.
14. If I pray in a different language, my spirit is praying, but my mind does nothing.
15. So what should I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind. I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind.
16. You might be praising God with your spirit. But a person there without understanding cannot say “Amen” to your prayer of thanks. He does not know what you are saying.
17. You may be thanking God in a good way, but the other person is not helped.
18. I thank God that my gift of speaking in different kinds of languages is greater than any of yours.
19. But in the church meetings I would rather speak five words that I understand than thousands of words in a different language. I would rather speak with my understanding, so that I can teach others.
20. Brothers, do not think like children. In evil things be like babies. But in your thinking you should be like full-grown men.
21. It is written in the Scriptures:“I will use strange words and foreign languagesto speak to these people.But even then they will not listen.” Isaiah 28:11-12That is what the Lord says.
22. So the gift of speaking in different kinds of languages is a sign for those who do not believe, not for those who believe. And prophecy is for people who believe, not for those who do not believe.
23. Suppose the whole church meets together and everyone speaks in different languages. If some people come in who are without understanding or do not believe, they will say you are crazy.
24. But suppose everyone is prophesying and someone comes in who does not believe or is without understanding. If everyone is prophesying, his sin will be shown to him, and he will be judged by all that he hears.
25. The secret things in his heart will be made known. So he will bow down and worship God. He will say, “Truly, God is with you.”