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1 Corinthians 14:8

Verse 8 of 40. The 14th of 16 chapters in 1 Corinthians, in The Letters of Paul.

4He who speaks in another language edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the assembly.

5Now I desire to have you all speak with other languages, but even more that you would prophesy. For he is greater who prophesies than he who speaks with other languages, unless he interprets, that the assembly may be built up.

6But now, brothers, if I come to you speaking with other languages, what would I profit you unless I speak to you either by way of revelation, or of knowledge, or of prophesying, or of teaching?

7Even 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?

8For if the trumpet gave an uncertain sound, who would prepare himself for war?

9So 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.

10There are, it may be, so many kinds of languages in the world, and none of them is without meaning.

11If then I don’t know the meaning of the language, I would be to him who speaks a foreigner, and he who speaks would be a foreigner to me.

12So also you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, seek that you may abound to the building up of the assembly.

Read 1 Corinthians 14

World English Bible. Public domain. Set as prose throughout, including the poetry, because the text is published to us without its lines.