1 Corinthians 14:6-12

American Standard Version

⁶ But now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, unless I speak to you either by way of revelation, or of knowledge, or of prophesying, or of teaching? ⁷ Even things without life, giving a voice, whether pipe or harp, if they give not a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped? ⁸ For if the trumpet give an uncertain voice, who shall prepare himself for war? ⁹ So also ye, unless ye utter by the tongue speech easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye will be speaking into the air. ¹⁰ There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and ^[a]no kind is without signification. ¹¹ If then I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be to him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh will be a barbarian ^[b]unto me. ¹² So also ye, since ye are zealous of ^[c]spiritual gifts, seek that ye may abound unto the edifying of the church.