1 Corinthians 14:6-12

Lexham English Bible

⁶ But now, brothers, if I come to you speaking with tongues, how do I benefit you, unless I speak to you either with a revelation or with knowledge or with a prophecy or with a teaching? ⁷ Likewise, the inanimate things which produce a sound, whether flute or lyre, if they do not produce a distinction in the tones, how will it be known what is played on the flute or on the lyre? ⁸ For indeed, if the trumpet produces an indistinct sound, who will prepare for battle? ⁹ And so you through the tongue, unless you produce a clear message, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air. ¹⁰ There are probably so many kinds of languages in the world, and none without meaning. ¹¹ Therefore, if I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be a barbarian to the one who is speaking, and the one who is speaking will be a barbarian in my judgment. ¹² In this way also you, since you are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek for the edification of the church, in order that you may abound.