12 [a]Even so, forasmuch as ye covet spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel unto the edifying of the Church.

13 Wherefore, let him that speaketh a strange tongue, [b]pray that he may interpret.

14 [c]For [d]if I pray in a strange tongue, my [e]spirit prayeth: but mine understanding is [f]without fruit.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 14:12 The conclusion: if they will excel in those spiritual gifts, as it is meet, they must seek the profit of the Church, and therefore they must not use gift of tongues, unless there is an interpreter to expound the strange and unknown tongue, whether it be himself that speaketh, or another interpreter.
  2. 1 Corinthians 14:13 Pray for the gift of interpretation.
  3. 1 Corinthians 14:14 A reason: Because it is not sufficient for us to speak so in the Congregation, that we ourselves do worship God in spirit, that is, according to the gift that we have received, but we must also be understood of the company, lest that be unprofitable to others which we have spoken.
  4. 1 Corinthians 14:14 If I pray, when the church is assembled together, in a strange tongue.
  5. 1 Corinthians 14:14 The gift and inspiration which the spirit giveth me, doeth his part, but only to myself.
  6. 1 Corinthians 14:14 No fruit cometh to the Church by my prayers.

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