14 Aim to show love, and eagerly strive for spiritual things—especially the ability to prophesy, 2 because anyone speaking another language isn’t speaking to the people, but to God, because no one understands it, but they’re speaking about spiritual mysteries. 3 However, anyone who’s prophesying, speaks to the people for their instruction and encouragement and comfort. 4 Anyone who’s speaking in another language instructs themself, but when people prophesy, they’re instructing the whole assembly.

5 Now I’d like it if you all spoke in other languages, but I’d like it better if you could all be prophesying. The person prophesying is more helpful than someone speaking in other languages, unless they translate so that the assembly can be instructed. 6 But now brothers and sisters, if I come to you speaking in other languages, how can I be of benefit to you all? Only if I share a revelation with you all, or some knowledge, or a prophecy or teaching.

7 Even the tune coming from non-living things like musical instruments can’t be recognised unless the distinct notes can be distinguished, 8 because if the trumpet produces an unclear sound, how will the soldiers know to prepare for battle. 9 Similarly with all of you—unless your words are intelligible, how will anyone know what you’re saying? You’ll just be talking to the wind. 10 There’s certainly many different languages in the world, but none of them are without meaning, 11 so if I don’t know the meaning of someone’s language, I’m a foreigner to that person, and that person will be a foreigner to me 12 and it’s the same with all of you. Because you all want spiritual things in order to help grow the assembly, then strive to have many of them.

13 So then, let anyone who’s speaking in another language, pray that they will be able to translate it. 14 When I pray in another language, my spirit prays but my mind is unproductive, 15 so what should I do? Well, I’ll pray with my spirit, but I’ll also pray with my mind. I’ll sing with my spirit, but I’ll also sing with my mind. 16 Otherwise, if you speak outa blessing in the spirit, how can the ordinary listeners say ‘May it be so’ after you give thanks, since they wouldn’t know what you’ve been saying. 17 Yes, you’d certainly give thanks well, but the other people wouldn’t be encouraged.

18 I thank God that I speak in other language more than all of you, 19 but with the assembly, I’d prefer to speak five words with my mind so that I can instruct others, rather than thousands of words in another language.

20 Brothers and sisters, don’t be childish in your thinking. You all can be like infants with respect to evil, but in everything else, be mature in your thinking. 21 The prophet Isayah wrote:[ref]

‘I’ll speak to this nation

through foreign languages and strangers’ lips,

but even then they won’t listen to me,’

says the master. 22 So then, speaking in other languages is a sign, not for believers, but for unbelievers. However in contrast, prophecy is not for unbelievers, but for believers.

23 So if the whole assembly gathered together at the same place and they all spoke in other languages, and then some inquirers or unbelievers came in, wouldn’t they say that you’re all crazy? 24 But if they were all prophesying instead and some inquirers or unbelievers came in, they’d be convicted of their sinfulness and called to account by them all. 25 The prophecies would expose the secrets of their hearts, so then they’d bow down and worship God, and exclaim, “God is really here among you all!”