10. It is true that there are many kinds of speech in the world. And they all have meaning.
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.