Tongues Must Be Interpreted

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? 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? For if the trumpet makes an uncertain sound, who will prepare for battle? 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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Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 14:10 meaning
  2. 1 Corinthians 14:11 Lit. barbarian
  3. 1 Corinthians 14:12 eager
  4. 1 Corinthians 14:12 building up

But now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, unless I speak to you either by way of revelation, or of knowledge, or of prophesying, or of teaching? Even things without life, giving a voice, whether pipe or harp, if they give not a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped? For if the trumpet give an uncertain voice, who shall prepare himself for war? So also ye, unless ye utter by the tongue speech easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye will be speaking into the air. 10 There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and [a]no kind is without signification. 11 If then I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be to him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh will be a barbarian [b]unto me. 12 So also ye, since ye are zealous of [c]spiritual gifts, seek that ye may abound unto the edifying of the church.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 14:10 Or, nothing is without voice
  2. 1 Corinthians 14:11 Or, in my case
  3. 1 Corinthians 14:12 Greek spirits.