16. Suppose some strangers are in your worship service, when you are praising God with your spirit. If they don't understand you, how will they know to say, “Amen”?
17. You may be worshipping God in a wonderful way, but no one else will be helped.
18. I thank God that I speak unknown languages more than any of you.
19. But words that make sense can help the church. That's why in church I had rather speak five words that make sense than to speak ten thousand words in a language that others don't know.
20. My friends, stop thinking like children. Think like mature people and be as innocent as tiny babies.
21. In the Scriptures the Lord says,“I will use strangerswho speak unknown languagesto talk to my people.They will speak to themin foreign languages,but still my peoplewon't listen to me.”
22. Languages that others don't know may mean something to unbelievers, but not to the Lord's followers. Prophecy, on the other hand, is for followers, not for unbelievers.
23. Suppose everyone in your worship service started speaking unknown languages, and some outsiders or some unbelievers come in. Won't they think you are mad?
24. But suppose all of you are prophesying when those unbelievers and outsiders come in. They will realize that they are sinners, and they will want to change their ways because of what you are saying.
25. They will tell what is hidden in their hearts. Then they will kneel down and say to God, “We are certain that you are with these people.”
26. My friends, when you meet to worship, you must do everything for the good of everyone there. That's how it should be when someone sings or teaches or tells what God has said or speaks an unknown language or explains what the language means.
27. No more than two or three of you should speak unknown languages during the meeting. You must take turns, and someone should always be there to explain what you mean.
28. If no one can explain, you must keep silent in church and speak only to yourself and to God.