1 Corinthians 14:9 — Compare Translations

28 translations compared side by side

English (YLT) 1898 Young's Literal Translation by Robert Young

so 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.

English 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.

English Amplified

Just so it is with you; if you in the [unknown] tongue speak words that are not intelligible, how will anyone understand what you are saying? For you will be talking into empty space!

English Amplified Classic Bible 1987

Just so it is with you; if you in the [unknown] tongue speak words that are not intelligible, how will anyone understand what you are saying? For you will be talking into empty space!

English Berean Standard Bible (BSB) 2025

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.

English CSB 2017 - Christian Standard Bible

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.

English Darby 1890 : Public Domain

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.

English EASY 2024

It is the same for you. You must use your tongue to speak clearly. If not, nobody will understand what you are saying. You will only be speaking words into the air.

English ERV 2006 - Only For Website

It is the same with you. If you don't speak clearly in a language people know, they cannot understand what you are saying. You will be talking to the air!

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.

English GNT (Good News Translation)

In the same way, how will anyone understand what you are talking about if your message given in strange tongues is not clear? Your words will vanish in the air!

English God's Word - GW 1995

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.

English HCSB 2004 - Copyrighted Only For Website

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.

English KJV 1611

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.

English LSB

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

English MEV 2014 (Modern English Version)

So also you, unless with the tongue you speak words easy to understand, how will it be known what is spoken? For you shall speak into the air.

English NASB (New American Standard Bible - NASB 1995)

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.

English NASU 1989 - New American Standard Update - Only for Website

Similarly, if you, because of speaking in tongues, do not utter intelligible speech, how will anyone know what is being said? For you will be talking to the air.

English NET Bible - 2005 (New English Translation)

It is the same for you. If you do not speak clearly with your tongue, how will anyone know what is being said? For you will be speaking into the air.

English NIRV 1996 - Copyrighted only for Website

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.

English NIV

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.

English NKJ 1982

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.

English NLT

And it's the same for you. If you talk to people in a language they don't understand, how will they know what you mean? You might as well be talking to an empty room.

English NRSV 1989 - Only for website

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.

English Passion Translation Bible 2020

So it is with you. Unless you speak in a language that’s easily understood, how will anyone know what you’re talking about? You might as well save your breath!

English RSV (Revised Standard Version)

So with yourselves; if you in a tongue utter speech that is not intelligible, how will any one know what is said? For you will be speaking into the air.

English TL (The Living Bible) (1971)

In the same way, if you talk to a person in some language he doesn't understand, how will he know what you mean? You might as well be talking to an empty room.

English Tyndale 1537

Even so likewise when ye speak with tongues, except ye speak words that have signification,(plain words) how shall it be understood(known) what is spoken? For ye shall but speak in the air.