1 Corinthians 14:5-10
New American Standard Bible
6But 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 revelation, or of knowledge, or of prophecy, or of teaching?
7Yet 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?
8For if the trumpet produces an indistinct sound, who will prepare himself for battle?
9So you too, unless you produce intelligible speech by the tongue, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will just be talking to the air.
10There are, perhaps, a great many kinds of languages in the world, and none is incapable of meaning.
King James Version
6Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?
7And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?
8For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?
9So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air.
10There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification.
Christian Standard Bible
6So now, brothers and sisters, if I come to you speaking in other tongues, how will I benefit you unless I speak to you with a revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching?
7Even lifeless instruments that produce sounds—whether flute or harp —if they don’t make a distinction in the notes, how will what is played on the flute or harp be recognized?
8In fact, if the bugle makes an unclear sound, who will prepare for battle?
9In 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.
10There are doubtless many different kinds of languages in the world, none is without meaning.
New Living Translation
6Dear brothers and sisters, if I should come to you speaking in an unknown language, how would that help you? But if I bring you a revelation or some special knowledge or prophecy or teaching, that will be helpful.
7Even lifeless instruments like the flute or the harp must play the notes clearly, or no one will recognize the melody.
8And if the bugler doesn’t sound a clear call, how will the soldiers know they are being called to battle?
English Standard Version
6Now, brothers, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit you unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching?
7If even lifeless instruments, such as the flute or the harp, do not give distinct notes, how will anyone know what is played?
8And if the bugle gives an indistinct sound, who will get ready for battle?
9So with yourselves, if with your tongue you utter speech that is not intelligible, how will anyone know what is said? For you will be speaking into the air.
10There are doubtless many different languages in the world, and none is without meaning,
New International Version
6Now, brothers and sisters, if I come to you and speak in tongues, what good will I be to you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or word of instruction?
7Even in the case of lifeless things that make sounds, such as the pipe or harp, how will anyone know what tune is being played unless there is a distinction in the notes?
8Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle?
9So it is with you. Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air.
10Undoubtedly there are all sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning.
New King James Version
6But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you unless I speak to you either by revelation, by knowledge, by prophesying, or by teaching?
7Even 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?
8For if the trumpet makes an uncertain sound, who will prepare for battle?
9So 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.
10There are, it may be, so many kinds of languages in the world, and none of them is without significance.
