Bible Verses About Language: Sometimes abused

For he that speaketh in a tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man heareth. Yet by the Spirit he speaketh mysteries.

But he that prophesieth speaketh to men unto edification and exhortation and comfort.

He that speaketh in a tongue edifieth himself: but he that prophesieth, edifieth the church.

And I would have you all to speak with tongues, but rather to prophesy. For greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues: unless perhaps he interpret, that the church may receive edification.

But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, unless I speak to you either in revelation or in knowledge or in prophecy or in doctrine?

Even things without life that give sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction of sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?

For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?

So likewise you, except you utter by the tongue plain speech, how shall it be known what is said? For you shall be speaking into the air.

There are, for example, so many kinds of tongues in this world: and none is without voice.

If then I know not the power of the voice, I shall be to him to whom I speak a barbarian: and he that speaketh a barbarian to me.

So you also, forasmuch as you are zealous of spirits, seek to abound unto the edifying of the church.