5. I would like all of you to speak in other languages. But I would rather have you prophesy. Those who prophesy are more helpful than those who speak in other languages. But that is not the case if those who speak in other languages explain what they have said. Then the whole church can be built up.
6. Brothers and sisters, suppose I were to come to you and speak in other languages. What good would I be to you? None! I would need to come with new truth or knowledge, or a prophecy or a teaching.
7. Here are some examples. Certain objects make sounds. Take a flute or a harp. No one will know what the tune is unless different notes are played.
8. Also, if the trumpet call isn't clear, who will get ready for battle?
9. It's the same with you. You must speak words that people understand. If you don't, no one will know what you are saying. You will just be speaking into the air.
10. It is true that there are all kinds of languages in the world. And they all have meaning.
11. But if I don't understand what someone is saying, I am a stranger to that person. And that person is a stranger to me.
12. It's the same with you. You want to have gifts of the Spirit. So try to do your best in using gifts that build up the church.
13. For that reason, those who speak in languages they had not known before 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 mind. I will sing with my spirit. But I will also sing with my mind.
16. Suppose you are praising God with your spirit. And suppose there are visitors among you who don't understand what's going on. How can they say "Amen" when you give thanks? They don't know what you are saying.
17. You might be giving thanks well enough. But the others are not being built up.
18. I thank God that I speak in other languages more than all of you do.
19. But in the church I would rather speak five words that people can understand than 10,000 words in another language. Then I would be teaching others.
20. Brothers and sisters, stop thinking like children. Be like babies as far as evil is concerned. But be grown up in your thinking.
21. In the Law it is written, "Through people who speak unfamiliar languages and through the lips of strangers I will speak to these people. But even then they will not listen to me." (Isaiah 28:11,12) That is what the Lord says.
22. So speaking in other languages is a sign for those who don't believe. It is not a sign for those who do believe. But prophecy is for believers. It is not for those who don't believe.