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1 Corinthians 14:8–9

For if the trumpet makes an uncertain sound, who will prepare for battle? So 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.

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1 Corinthians 14:8–9 — The New International Version (NIV)

Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready 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.

1 Corinthians 14:8–9 — English Standard Version (ESV)

And if the bugle gives an indistinct sound, who will get ready for battle? So 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.

1 Corinthians 14:8–9 — King James Version (KJV 1900)

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

1 Corinthians 14:8–9 — New Living Translation (NLT)

And if the bugler doesn’t sound a clear call, how will the soldiers know they are being called to battle?

It’s the same for you. If you speak to people in words they don’t understand, how will they know what you are saying? You might as well be talking into empty space.

1 Corinthians 14:8–9 — New Century Version (NCV)

And in a war, if the trumpet does not give a clear sound, who will prepare for battle? It is the same with you. Unless you speak clearly with your tongue, no one can understand what you are saying. You will be talking into the air!

1 Corinthians 14:8–9 — American Standard Version (ASV)

For if the trumpet give an uncertain voice, who shall prepare himself for war? So 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.

1 Corinthians 14:8–9 — 1890 Darby Bible (DARBY)

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

1 Corinthians 14:8–9 — GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)

For example, if the trumpet doesn’t sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle? In the same way, if you don’t speak in a way that can be understood, how will anyone know what you’re saying? You will be talking into thin air. 

1 Corinthians 14:8–9 — The Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

In fact, if the trumpet makes an unclear sound, who will prepare for battle? In 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.

1 Corinthians 14:8–9 — The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

And if the bugle gives an indistinct sound, who will get ready for battle? So with yourselves; if in a tongue you utter speech that is not intelligible, how will anyone know what is being said? For you will be speaking into the air.

1 Corinthians 14:8–9 — The Lexham English Bible (LEB)

For indeed, if the trumpet produces an indistinct sound, who will prepare for battle? And so you through the tongue, unless you produce a clear message, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air.

1 Corinthians 14:8–9 — New International Reader’s Version (1998) (NIrV)

Also, if the trumpet call isn’t clear, who will get ready for battle?

It’s the same with you. You must speak words that people understand. If you don’t, no one will know what you are saying. You will just be speaking into the air.

1 Corinthians 14:8–9 — New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (NASB95)

For if the bugle produces an indistinct sound, who will prepare himself for battle?

So also you, unless you utter by the tongue speech that is clear, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air.


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