Add parallel Print Page Options

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.

Read full chapter

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

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? 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? For example, if a bugle doesn’t sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle? 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.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 14:10 Or sounds
  2. 1 Corinthians 14:11 Or sound