16 You might be praising God with your spirit. But a person there without understanding cannot say “Amen” to your prayer of thanks. He does not know what you are saying.
17 You may be thanking God in a good way, but the other person is not helped.
18 I thank God that my gift of speaking in different kinds of languages is greater than any of yours.
19 But in the church meetings I would rather speak five words that I understand than thousands of words in a different language. I would rather speak with my understanding, so that I can teach others.
20 Brothers, do not think like children. In evil things be like babies. But in your thinking you should be like full-grown men.
21 It is written in the Scriptures:“I will use strange words and foreign languagesto speak to these people.But even then they will not listen.” Isaiah 28:11-12That is what the Lord says.
22 So the gift of speaking in different kinds of languages is a sign for those who do not believe, not for those who believe. And prophecy is for people who believe, not for those who do not believe.