12. That’s why you who want spiritual gifts so much should prefer those gifts that help the church grow stronger.
13. So those who have the gift of speaking in a different language should pray that they can also interpret what they say.
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 someone there without understanding cannot say “Amen” to your prayer of thanks, because they don’t know what you are saying.
17. You may be thanking God in a good way, but others are 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 and sisters, don’t think like children. In evil things be like babies, but in your thinking you should be like full-grown adults.
21. As the Scriptures say, “Using those who speak a different language and using the lips of foreigners, I will speak to these people. But even then, they will not obey me.” Isaiah 28:11-12 This is what the Lord says.
22. And from this we see that the use of different languages shows how God deals with those who don’t believe, not with those who believe. And prophecy shows how God works through those who believe, not through unbelievers.
23. Suppose the whole church meets together and you all speak in different languages. If some people come in who are without understanding or don’t believe, they will say you are crazy.
24. But suppose you are all prophesying and someone comes in who does not believe or who is without understanding. Their sin will be shown to them, and they will be judged by everything you say.
25. The secret things in their heart will be made known. So they will bow down and worship God. They will say, “Without a doubt, God is here with you.”
26. So, brothers and sisters, what should you do? When you meet together, one person has a song, another has a teaching, and another has a new truth from God. One person speaks in a different language, and another interprets that language. The purpose of whatever you do should be to help everyone grow stronger in faith.
27. When you meet together, if anyone speaks to the group in a different language, it should be only two or no more than three people who do this. And they should speak one after the other. And someone else should interpret what they say.
28. But if there is no interpreter, then anyone who speaks in a different language should be quiet in the church meeting. They should speak only to themselves and to God.
29. And only two or three prophets should speak. The others should judge what they say.
30. And if a message from God comes to someone who is sitting, the first speaker should be quiet.