19 But in the church, I would rather speak five coherent words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue. 20 Brothers, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be mature. 21 It is written in the Law: “By strange tongues and foreign lips I will speak to this people, but even then they will not listen to Me, says the Lord.”
1 Corinthians 14:19–21
Semantically similar passages
1 Corinthians 14:8–10
8 Again, if the trumpet sounds a muffled call, who will prepare for battle? 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 Assuredly, there are many differ…
1 Corinthians 14:38–40
38 But if anyone ignores this, he himself will be ignored. 39 So, my brothers, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. 40 But everything must be done in a proper and orderly manner.
1 Corinthians 14:1–3
1 Earnestly pursue love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy. 2 For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men, but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries in the Spirit. 3 But he who prophesies speaks to men fo…
1 Corinthians 14:12–14
12 It is the same with you. Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, strive to excel in gifts that build up the church. 13 Therefore, the one who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret. 14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfr…
1 Corinthians 14:27–29
27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, two, or at most three, should speak in turn, and someone must interpret. 28 But if there is no interpreter, he should remain silent in the church and speak only to himself and God. 29 Two or three prophets should speak, and the others sh…
Isaiah 28:10–12
10 For they hear: “Order on order, order on order, line on line, line on line; a little here, a little there.” 11 Indeed, with mocking lips and foreign tongues, He will speak to this people 12 to whom He has said: “This is the place of rest, let the weary rest; this is…
1 Corinthians 3:1–2
1 Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual, but as worldly—as infants in Christ. 2 I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for solid food. In fact, you are still not ready,
1 Corinthians 2:12–14
12 We have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. 13 And this is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom, but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths…
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