9Thus 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.


In Context

6 And now, brethren, if I come to you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, unless I shall speak to you either in revelation, or in knowledge, or in prophecy, or in teaching?

7 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?

8 For also, if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself for war?

9 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.

10 There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of undistinguishable sound.

11 If therefore I do not know the power of the sound, I shall be to him that speaks a barbarian, and he that speaks a barbarian for me.

1 Corinthians 14:9 in Other Translations

The King James Version of the Holy Bible

14:9So 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.

The New International Version of the Holy Bible

14:9So 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.

The Douay-Rheims Version of the Holy Bible

14:9So likewise you, except you utter by the tongue plain speech, how shall it be known what is said ? For you shall be speaking into the air.

The American Standard Version of the Holy Bible

14:9So 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.

The English Revised Version of the Holy Bible

14:9So also ye, unless ye utter by the tongue speech easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye will be speaking into the air.

The Webster Bible Translation of the Holy Bible

14:9So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye will speak into the air.

The World English Bible Translation of the Holy Bible

14:9So 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.

The Young's Literal Translation of the Holy Bible

14:9so also ye, if through the tongue, speech easily understood ye may not give — how shall that which is spoken be known? for ye shall be speaking to air.

The American King James Version of the Holy Bible

14:9So likewise you, except you utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for you shall speak into the air.