1 Corinthians 14:12-20

New International Version

¹² So it is with you. Since you are eager for gifts of the Spirit,^(A) try to excel in those that build up^(B) the church.

¹³ For this reason the one who speaks in a tongue should pray that they may interpret what they say.^{(C) 14} For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays,^(D) but my mind is unfruitful. ¹⁵ So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit,^(E) but I will also pray with my understanding; I will sing^(F) 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”^(G) to your thanksgiving,^(H) since they do not know what you are saying? ¹⁷ You are giving thanks well enough, but no one else is edified.^(I)

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.^(J)

²⁰ Brothers and sisters, stop thinking like children.^(K) In regard to evil be infants,^(L) but in your thinking be adults.