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But now, brothers, if I come to you speaking in tongues, what will I profit you unless I speak to you either by way of (A)revelation or of (B)knowledge or of (C)prophecy or of (D)teaching? Yet even lifeless things, either 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? For if (E)the trumpet produces an indistinct sound, who will prepare himself for battle? So also you, unless you utter by the tongue a word that is clear, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be (F)speaking into the air. 10 There are, perhaps, a great many kinds of sounds in the world, and none is without meaning. 11 If then I do not know the meaning of the sound, I will be to the one who speaks a [a](G)barbarian, and the one who speaks will be a [b]barbarian [c]to me. 12 So also you, since you are zealous for [d]spiritual gifts, seek to abound for the (H)edification of the church.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 14:11 Or foreigner
  2. 1 Corinthians 14:11 Or foreigner
  3. 1 Corinthians 14:11 Or in my estimation
  4. 1 Corinthians 14:12 Lit spirits

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? 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? For if the trumpet give an uncertain voice, who shall prepare himself for war? 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.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 14:10 Or, nothing is without voice
  2. 1 Corinthians 14:11 Or, in my case
  3. 1 Corinthians 14:12 Greek spirits.