1 Corinthians 14:6-13

New American Standard Bible

⁶ But now, brothers and sisters, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit you unless I speak to you either by way of ^(A)revelation, or of ^(B)knowledge, or of ^(C)prophecy, or of ^(D)teaching? ⁷ Yet even lifeless instruments, whether flute or harp, in producing a sound, if they do not produce a distinction in the tones, how will it be known what is played on the flute or on the harp? ⁸ For if ^(E)the trumpet produces an indistinct sound, who will prepare himself for battle? ⁹ So you too, unless you produce intelligible speech by the tongue, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will just be ^(F)talking to the air. ¹⁰ There are, perhaps, a great many kinds of ^[a]languages in the world, and none is incapable of meaning. ¹¹ So if I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be ^(G)unintelligible to the one who speaks, and the one who speaks will be unintelligible ^[b]to me. ¹² So you too, since you are eager to possess ^[c]spiritual gifts, strive to excel for the ^(H)edification of the church.

¹³ Therefore, one who speaks in a tongue is to pray that he may interpret.