1 Corinthians 14:9
7 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?
8 Again, if the trumpet sounds a muffled call, who will prepare for battle?
So 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.
10 Assuredly, there are many different languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning.
11 If, then, I do not know the meaning of someone’s language, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and he is a foreigner to me.
Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- So 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.
- KJV
- 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.
- WEB
- So also you, unless you uttered by the tongue words easy to understand, how would it be known what is spoken? For you would be speaking into the air.
- ASV
- So also ye, unless ye utter by the tongue speech easy to understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye will be speaking into the air.
- DARBY
- Thus also *ye* with the tongue, unless ye give a distinct speech, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye will be speaking to the air.
- BLB
- So also you⁺, unless you⁺ give intelligible speech through the tongue, how will it be known what [is] being spoken? For you⁺ will be speaking into the air.
- ÅB
- Slik også med dere: Dersom dere ikke med deres tunge fremfører tydelig tale, hvordan kan en da skjønne det som blir sagt? dere vil jo da tale bort i været.
- OTB
- Så også dere, hvis dere ikke gir en forståelig tale med tungen, hvordan skal det da vites hva som blir sagt? For dere vil bare tale til luften.
- B1930
- Således også med eder: Dersom I ikke med eders tunge fremfører tydelig tale, hvorledes kan en da skjønne det som blir sagt? I vil jo da tale bort i været.
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
1 Corinthians 9:26
Therefore I do not run aimlessly; I do not fight like I am beating the air.
Read in context