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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

So now, brothers and sisters, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit you unless I speak to you with a revelation(A) or knowledge or prophecy or teaching? Even lifeless instruments that produce sounds—whether flute or harp(B)—if they don’t make a distinction in the notes, how will what is played on the flute or harp be recognized? In fact, if the bugle makes an unclear sound, who will prepare for battle?(C) In the same way, unless you use your tongue for intelligible speech, how will what is spoken be known? For you will be speaking into the air. 10 There are doubtless many different kinds of languages in the world, none is without meaning. 11 Therefore, if I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be a foreigner[a] to the speaker, and the speaker will be a foreigner to me. 12 So also you—since you are zealous(D) for spiritual gifts,[b](E) seek to excel in building up the church.

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Footnotes

  1. 14:11 Gk barbaros, or barbarian
  2. 14:12 Lit zealous of spirits