⁶ Indeed, brothers, if I come to you speaking in foreign languages, what good will I be to you unless I speak to you in some revelation, knowledge, prophecy, or teaching? ⁷ In the same way, lifeless instruments like the flute or harp produce sounds. But if there’s no difference in the notes, how can a person tell what tune is being played? ⁸ For example, if a bugle doesn’t sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle? ⁹ In the same way, unless you speak an intelligible message with your language, how will anyone know what is being said? You’ll be talking into the air!

¹⁰ There are, I suppose, many different languages^[a] in the world, yet none of them is without meaning. ¹¹ If I don’t know the meaning of the language,^[b] I will be a foreigner to the speaker and the speaker will be a foreigner to me. ¹² In the same way, since you’re so desirous of spiritual gifts, you must keep on desiring them for building up the church.