1 Corinthians 14:6-12
Legacy Standard Bible
6 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? 7 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? 8 For if (E)the trumpet produces an indistinct sound, who will prepare himself for battle? 9 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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- 1 Corinthians 14:11 Or foreigner
- 1 Corinthians 14:11 Or foreigner
- 1 Corinthians 14:11 Or in my estimation
- 1 Corinthians 14:12 Lit spirits
1 Corinthians 14:6-12
New King James Version
Tongues Must Be Interpreted
6 But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you unless I speak to you either by (A)revelation, by knowledge, by prophesying, or by teaching? 7 Even things without life, whether flute or harp, when they make a sound, unless they make a distinction in the sounds, how will it be known what is piped or played? 8 For if the trumpet makes an uncertain sound, who will prepare for battle? 9 So likewise you, unless you utter by the tongue words easy to understand, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air. 10 There are, it may be, so many kinds of languages in the world, and none of them is without [a]significance. 11 Therefore, if I do not know the meaning of the language, I shall be a [b]foreigner to him who speaks, and he who speaks will be a foreigner to me. 12 Even so you, since you are [c]zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the [d]edification of the church that you seek to excel.
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- 1 Corinthians 14:10 meaning
- 1 Corinthians 14:11 Lit. barbarian
- 1 Corinthians 14:12 eager
- 1 Corinthians 14:12 building up
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Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.