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But de as it is nyn, brothers adelphos, if ean I come erchomai to pros you hymeis speaking laleō in tongues glōssa, how tis will I benefit ōpheleō you hymeis unless ean mē I impart laleō to you hymeis some ē revelation apokalypsis or ē knowledge gnōsis or ē prophecy prophēteia or ē teaching didachē? It is the same homōs with · ho lifeless apsychos things that produce didōmi sound phōnē, whether eite flute aulos or eite harp kithara; if ean they do didōmi not make didōmi a difference diastolē between ho notes phthongos, how pōs will what ho is being played on the flute auleō or ē the ho harp kitharizō be understood ginōskō? Again kai, if ean the bugle salpinx gives didōmi an uncertain adēlos call phōnē, who tis will get ready paraskeuazō for eis battle polemos? So houtōs · kai it is with you hymeis; if ean you do didōmi not speak didōmi a clear eusēmos message logos with dia your ho tongue glōssa, how pōs will anyone know ginōskō what ho is being said laleō? You will be eimi speaking laleō into eis the air aēr. 10 There are eimi who-knows-how-many tosoutos ei kinds genos of languages phōnē in en the world kosmos, and kai none oudeis is without meaning aphōnos. 11 But oun if ean I do not grasp oida the ho meaning dynamis of the ho language phōnē, I will be eimi a foreigner barbaros to the ho speaker laleō and kai the ho speaker laleō a foreigner barbaros to en me egō. 12 So houtōs · kai it is with you hymeis. Since epei you are eimi eager zēlōtēs for manifestations of the Spirit pneuma, seek zēteō to hina excel perisseuō for pros the ho edification oikodomē of the ho church ekklēsia.

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But now, brothers, if I come to you speaking in other languages, how will I benefit you unless I speak to you with a revelation(A) or knowledge or prophecy or teaching? Even inanimate things that produce sounds—whether flute or harp(B)—if they don’t make a distinction in the notes, how will what is played on the flute or harp be recognized? In fact, if the trumpet makes an unclear sound, who will prepare for battle?(C) In the same way, unless you use your tongue for intelligible speech, how will what is spoken be known? For you will be speaking into the air. 10 There are doubtless many different kinds of languages in the world, and all have meaning.[a] 11 Therefore, if I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be a foreigner[b] to the speaker, and the speaker will be a foreigner to me. 12 So also you—since you are zealous(D) for spiritual gifts,[c](E) seek to excel in building up the church.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 14:10 Lit and none is without a sound
  2. 1 Corinthians 14:11 Gk barbaros = in Eng a “barbarian.” To a Gk, a barbaros was anyone who did not speak Gk.
  3. 1 Corinthians 14:12 Lit zealous of spirits; spirits = human spirits, spiritual powers, or the Holy Spirit