⁶ Now, brothers and sisters, if I come to you and speak in tongues, what good will I be to you, unless I bring you some revelation^(A) or knowledge^(B) or prophecy or word of instruction?^{(C) 7} Even in the case of lifeless things that make sounds, such as the pipe or harp, how will anyone know what tune is being played unless there is a distinction in the notes? ⁸ Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle?^{(D) 9} So it is with you. Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air. ¹⁰ Undoubtedly there are all sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning. ¹¹ If then I do not grasp the meaning of what someone is saying, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and the speaker is a foreigner to me.^{(E) 12} So it is with you. Since you are eager for gifts of the Spirit,^(F) try to excel in those that build up^(G) the church.

¹³ For this reason the one who speaks in a tongue should pray that they may interpret what they say.^{(H) 14} For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays,^(I) but my mind is unfruitful. ¹⁵ So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit,^(J) but I will also pray with my understanding; I will sing^(K) with my spirit, but I will also sing with my understanding. ¹⁶ Otherwise when you are praising God in the Spirit, how can someone else, who is now put in the position of an inquirer,^[a] say “Amen”^(L) to your thanksgiving,^(M) since they do not know what you are saying? ¹⁷ You are giving thanks well enough, but no one else is edified.^(N)

¹⁸ I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. ¹⁹ But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.^(O)