19. But in the church meetings I would rather speak five words I understand in order to teach others than thousands of words in a different language.
20. Brothers and sisters, do not think like children. In evil things be like babies, but in your thinking you should be like adults.
21. It is written in the Scriptures:“With people who use strange words and foreign languagesI will speak to these people.But even then they will not listen to me,”says the Lord.
22. So the gift of speaking in different kinds of languages is a sign for those who do not believe, not for those who do believe. And prophecy is for people who believe, not for those who do not believe.
23. Suppose the whole church meets together and everyone speaks in different languages. If some people come in who do not understand or do not believe, they will say you are crazy.
24. But suppose everyone is prophesying and some people come in who do not believe or do not understand. If everyone is prophesying, their sin will be shown to them, and they will be judged by all that they hear.
25. The secret things in their hearts will be made known. So they will bow down and worship God saying, “Truly, God is with you.”
26. So, brothers and sisters, what should you do? When you meet together, one person has a song, and another has a teaching. Another has a new truth from God. Another speaks in a different language, and another person interprets that language. The purpose of all these things should be to help the church grow strong.