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Brothers and sisters, suppose I were to come to you and speak in other languages. What good would I be to you? None! I would need to come with new truth or knowledge. Or I would need to come with a prophecy or a teaching. Here are some examples. Certain objects make sounds. Take a flute or a harp. No one will know what the tune is unless different notes are played. Also, if the trumpet call isn’t clear, who will get ready for battle? It’s the same with you. You must speak words that people understand. If you don’t, no one will know what you are saying. You will just be speaking into the air. 10 It is true that there are all kinds of languages in the world. And they all have meaning. 11 But if I don’t understand what someone is saying, I am a stranger to the person speaking. And that person is a stranger to me. 12 It’s the same with you. You want the gifts of the Spirit. So try to do your best in using gifts that build up the church.

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Now, brothers and sisters, if I come to you and speak in tongues, what good will I be to you, unless I bring you some revelation(A) or knowledge(B) or prophecy or word of instruction?(C) Even in the case of lifeless things that make sounds, such as the pipe or harp, how will anyone know what tune is being played unless there is a distinction in the notes? Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle?(D) 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 Undoubtedly there are all sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning. 11 If then I do not grasp the meaning of what someone is saying, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and the speaker is a foreigner to me.(E) 12 So it is with you. Since you are eager for gifts of the Spirit,(F) try to excel in those that build up(G) the church.

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