1 Corinthians 14:7 Parallel Translations

Musical instruments like the flute or harp produce sounds. If there is no difference in the notes, how can a person tell what tune is being played?(GOD'S WORD®)

KJV:

And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?

ASV:

Even things without life, giving a voice, whether pipe or harp, if they give not a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?

BBE:

Even things without life, having a voice, such as a music-pipe or other instrument, if they do not give out different sounds, who may be certain what is being played?

DBY:

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?

ERV:

Even things without life, giving a voice, whether pipe or harp, if they give not a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?

WEY:

Even inanimate things--flutes or harps, for instance--when yielding a sound, if they make no distinction in the notes, how shall the tune which is played on the flute or the harp be known?

WBS:

And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?

WEB:

Even things without life, giving a voice, whether pipe or harp, if they didn't give a distinction in the sounds, how would it be known what is piped or harped?

YLT:

yet the things without life giving sound -- whether pipe or harp -- if a difference in the sounds they may not give, how shall be known that which is piped or that which is harped?

1 Corinthians 14:7 Cross References

XREF:

1 Corinthians 14:6 But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking in tongues, what will I profit you unless I speak to you either by way of revelation or of knowledge or of prophecy or of teaching?

1 Corinthians 14:8 For if the bugle produces an indistinct sound, who will prepare himself for battle? (NASB ©1995)

Commentaries and Concordances

GSB:

14:7 {3} And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?
(3) He sets forth that which he said by a similitude, which he borrows and takes from instruments of music, which although they speak not perfectly, yet they are distinguished by their sounds, that they may be the better used.

PNT:

14:7 Even things without life giving sound. Musical instruments that give forth a sound, such as a pipe or a harp, the chief musical instruments of the Greeks, must give a distinction of sounds, if one would know what is played.

WES:

14:7 How shall it be known what is piped or harped - What music can be made, or what end answered?

MHC:

14:6-14 Even an apostle could not edify, unless he spoke so as to be understood by his hearers. To speak words that have no meaning to those who hear them, is but speaking into the air. That cannot answer the end of speaking, which has no meaning; in this case, speaker and hearers are barbarians to each other. All religious services should be so performed in Christian assemblies, that all may join in, and profit by them. Language plain and easy to be understood, is the most proper for public worship, and other religious exercises. Every true follower of Christ will rather desire to do good to others, than to get a name for learning or fine speaking.

CONC:

Anyone Didn't Difference Different Distinct Distinction Either Except Flute Flutes Giving Harp Harped Harps Inanimate Instance Instrument Instruments Lifeless Music-pipe Notes Pipe Piped Played Produce Producing Sounds Tones Tune Unless Voice Whether Yet Yielding

Different Distinct Distinction Either Except Flute Flutes Harp Harps Instance Instrument Instruments Life Lifeless Notes Pipe Piped Played Produce Producing Sound Sounds Tones Tune Unless Voice Whether Yielding

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GOD'S WORD® is a copyrighted work of God's Word to the Nations. Quotations are used by permission. Copyright 1995 by God's Word to the Nations. All rights reserved.

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