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1 Corinthians 14:7

5 I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.

6 Now, 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?

And 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?

8 For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?

9 So 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.

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Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
Even in the case of lifeless instruments, such as the flute or harp, how will anyone recognize the tune they are playing unless the notes are distinct?
KJV
And 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?
WEB
Even lifeless things that make a sound, whether pipe or harp, if they didn’t give a distinction in the sounds, how would it be known what is piped or harped?
ASV
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?
DARBY
Even lifeless things giving a sound, whether pipe or harp, if they give not distinction to the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?
BLB
Even lifeless things giving a sound—whether the flute or harp—unless they give distinction to the sounds, how will it be known what [is] being piped or being harped?
ÅB
Dersom de livløse ting som gir lyd, enten det er en fløyte eller en harpe, ikke gir forskjellige toner, hvordan kan en da skjønne det som spilles på fløyten eller på harpen?
OTB
Selv livløse instrumenter, enten fløyte eller harpe, når de gir en lyd, hvis de ikke gir en forskjell i tonene, hvordan skal det da vites hva som spilles på fløyten eller harpen?
B1930
Dersom de livløse ting som gir lyd, enten det er en fløite eller en harpe, ikke gir forskjellige toner, hvorledes kan en da skjønne det som spilles på fløiten eller på harpen?

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • 1 Corinthians 13:1

    Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

    Read in context

  • 1 Corinthians 14:8

    For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?

    Read in context

  • Numbers 10:2–10

    Make thee two trumpets of silver; of a whole piece shalt thou make them: that thou mayest use them for the calling of the assembly, and for the journeying of the camps.

    Read in context

  • Matthew 11:17

    And saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented.

    Read in context

  • Luke 7:32

    They are like unto children sitting in the marketplace, and calling one to another, and saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned to you, and ye have not wept.

    Read in context