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? 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? For if (E)the trumpet produces an indistinct sound, who will prepare himself for battle? 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.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 14:10 Lit voices
  2. 1 Corinthians 14:11 Or in my estimation
  3. 1 Corinthians 14:12 Lit spirits

Now, brothers and sisters,[a] if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I help you unless I speak to you with a revelation or with knowledge or prophecy or teaching? It is similar for lifeless things that make a sound, like a flute or harp. Unless they make a distinction in the notes, how can what is played on the flute or harp be understood? If, for example, the trumpet makes an unclear sound, who will get ready for battle? It is the same for you. If you do not speak clearly with your tongue, how will anyone know what is being said? For you will be speaking into the air. 10 There are probably many kinds of languages in the world, and none is without meaning. 11 If then I do not know the meaning of a language, I will be a foreigner to the speaker and the speaker a foreigner to me. 12 It is the same with you. Since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit,[b] seek to abound in order to strengthen the church.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 14:6 tn Grk “brothers.” See note on the phrase “brothers and sisters” in 1:10.
  2. 1 Corinthians 14:12 tn Grk “eager for spirits.” The plural is probably a shorthand for the Spirit’s gifts, especially in this context, tongues.