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For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries.
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But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men.
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He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.
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I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification.
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But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you unless I speak to you either by revelation, by knowledge, by prophesying, or by teaching?
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Even things without life, whether flute or harp, when they make a sound, unless they make a distinction in the sounds, how will it be known what is piped or played?
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For if the trumpet makes an uncertain sound, who will prepare himself for battle?
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So likewise you, unless you utter by the tongue words easy to understand, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air.
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There are, it may be, so many kinds of languages in the world, and none of them is without significance.
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Therefore, if I do not know the meaning of the language, I shall be a foreigner to him who speaks, and he who speaks will be a foreigner to me.
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Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel.
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Therefore let him who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret.
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For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.
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What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding.
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Otherwise, if you bless with the spirit, how will he who occupies the place of the uninformed say "Amen" at your giving of thanks, since he does not understand what you say?
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For you indeed give thanks well, but the other is not edified.
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I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all;
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yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue.
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Brethren, do not be children in understanding; however, in malice be babes, but in understanding be mature.
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In the law it is written: "With men of other tongues and other lips I will speak to this people; And yet, for all that, they will not hear Me," says the Lord.
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Therefore tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophesying is not for unbelievers but for those who believe.