1 Corinthians 14:6-12
New American Standard Bible
6 But now, brothers and sisters, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit 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 instruments, whether 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 you too, unless you produce intelligible speech by the tongue, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will just be (F)talking to the air. 10 There are, perhaps, a great many kinds of [a]languages in the world, and none is incapable of meaning. 11 So if I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be (G)unintelligible to the one who speaks, and the one who speaks will be unintelligible [b]to me. 12 So you too, since you are eager to possess [c]spiritual gifts, strive to excel for the (H)edification of the church.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 1 Corinthians 14:10 Lit voices
- 1 Corinthians 14:11 Or in my estimation
- 1 Corinthians 14:12 Lit spirits
1 Corinthians 14:6-12
International Standard Version
6 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? 7 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? 8 For example, if a bugle doesn’t sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle? 9 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 chapterFootnotes
- 1 Corinthians 14:10 Or sounds
- 1 Corinthians 14:11 Or sound
New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.
Copyright © 1995-2014 by ISV Foundation. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY. Used by permission of Davidson Press, LLC.