8. For if the trumpet makes an unclear sound, who will prepare himself for battle?
9. So also with you with your tongue—unless you utter speech that is intelligible, how will what is spoken be understood? For you will be talking to the wind!
10. It may be that there are many kinds of languages in the world—and none without meaning.
11. If then I do not understand the meaning of the language, I will be a foreigner to the speaker, and the speaker will be a foreigner to me.
12. Likewise with you—since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, keep trying to excel for the building up of the community.
13. Therefore let one who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret.
14. For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.
15. What is it then? I will pray in my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind. I will sing praises with my spirit, and I will also sing praises with my mind.
16. Otherwise if you give thanks and praise in the spirit, how will one filling the place of the ungifted say the “Amen” to your thanksgiving, since he has no idea what you’re saying?
17. For you certainly give thanks well, but the other person is not built up.