Bible verses about "language" | JMNT

⁸ "And so how are we ourselves now hearing – each one of us – in his own language and dialect, [the one] in which we were born? ⁹ " [There are] Parthians, Medes and Elamites [= portions of the Persian empire]; even folks presently dwelling in Mesopotamia... both Judea, as well as Cappadocia... Pontus, as well as Asia [= principally the kingdom of Pergamus, including Lydia, Mysia, Caria and Phrygia], ¹⁰ "both Phrygia and Pamphylia; Egypt and the parts of Libya which is down toward Cyrene, as well as the temporary residents from Rome (or: the repatriated Romans); both Jews and proselytes (converts to Judaism), Cretans and Arabians (or: Arabs) – ¹¹ "we continue hearing their speaking the magnificent things of God (or: God's great deeds) in our own tongues (= languages)!"

¹⁰ Since, as it happens to be, there are so many kinds of voices in [the] world (or: sounds in the system of cultures, religions and secular societies) – and not one of them voiceless (= silent or without meaning and significance) –

² for the person habitually speaking in a language is not speaking to or for humans, but rather, to, by and with God – for you see, no one continues listening so as to pay attention or obey. Yet for [the] Spirit (or: by Breath-effect; with attitude) he goes on speaking secrets. (or: for he that repeatedly speaks in a tongue is not speaking to people or for mankind, but to the contrary, to God – for no one continues listening [to him] – yet in spirit he continues speaking mysteries.) ³ Now the one habitually prophesying (or: normally publicly speaking [God's message] and sharing light ahead of time) is constantly speaking an act of building (a construction; an edification) – even a calling to the side to give relief, aid and comfort and encouragement (or: a speaking as, and doing the work of, a paraclete), as well as a speech of stimulation, soothing and gentle influence or incentive – to people (or: among humans; for mankind). ⁴ The person habitually speaking in a tongue (or: language) constantly upbuilds and edifies himself, yet the person constantly prophesying (publicly speaking [God's message] before others) continuously upbuilds, edifies and constructs the called-out community. ⁵ Now I continue intending (purposing; willing; wanting) all you folks to be habitually speaking in tongues (or: with languages), yet preferably that you would be constantly prophesying (or: should keep on speaking publicly before others [as God's spokesmen, proclaiming God's message]), for the one repeatedly prophesying [is] of greater [importance; influence] than the one habitually speaking in tongues (or: with languages) – outside of this exception: [that] he should continue on to interpret (or: translate), so that the called-out assembly can receive an upbuilding (or: may take hold of, and get, edification; would grasp [the] construction). ⁶ So now, brothers (= fellow believers), if I should come to you repeatedly speaking in language after language (or: continuously speaking in tongues), what will I be benefiting, augmenting or furthering you folks – unless instead I speak either on an unveiling (a revelation; a disclosure), or in intimate knowledge based upon my experience and insight, or with a prophecy (a proclamation [from God]), or by a teaching? ⁷ Likewise, [with] the inanimate (soulless; = lifeless) things [which] are normally giving a sound – whether a flute or lyre (or: a wind instrument or a stringed instrument): how will it proceed being known [what] is being played on the flute or on the lyre unless it should give a distinction in the tones (a set order throughout with a difference made through divisions in the arrangement or the sending of the sounds apart)? ⁸ For also, if a military trumpet should give an indistinct (uncertain; dubious) sound, who will proceed to prepare and make himself ready for battle or war? ⁹ In the same way also, unless you, yourselves, should give an easily understood word (an intelligible expression; a message in good signs that gives a clear meaning) through the language, or by means of the tongue, how will the thing proceed being habitually spoken be personally understood and experientially known, with insight? So you will [just] proceed being a person continuing to speak or babble into [the] air. ¹⁰ Since, as it happens to be, there are so many kinds of voices in [the] world (or: sounds in the system of cultures, religions and secular societies) – and not one of them voiceless (= silent or without meaning and significance) – ¹¹ if then, I may not have seen so as to know the ability of the voice (or: power of the sound; = force and meaning), to the one presently speaking (or: for the speaker [i.e., in his perception]) I shall continue being a barbarian (one who utters confused or unintelligible sounds; = a foreigner), and in me (or: in my case or view) the one speaking [will be] a barbarian (= a foreigner). ¹² In the same way also, since you, yourselves, are folks boiling with fervor and affection in regard to spirit things (or: from attitudes; pertaining to spirits; [in matters] which are Breath-effects), be constantly and progressively seeking, [focused] toward the upbuilding, edification and construction of the called-out community – to the end that you folks can progressively surround yourselves with abundance (or: be constantly superabounding). ¹³ Therefore, let the one constantly speaking in a language, or a tongue, habitually pray that (or: focus his thoughts on having goodness and well-being [of the group] so) he can presently continue on, to translate (or: may proceed to interpret) [it]. ¹⁴ So if I am habitually praying in a language (or: speaking or thinking toward having goodness, with a tongue), my spirit (or: attitude; Breath-effect) is continually praying, yet my mind continues being unfruitful (or: my intellect is without fruit; = useless). ¹⁵ Which (or: What) is it, then? I will constantly pray (or: focus my thoughts on having goodness and speak toward things going well; [other MSS: I should pray]) in and by the spirit (or: with the Spirit; to the Breath-effect; for the Attitude), yet I will [other MSS: should] also repeatedly think and speak toward having good results in (or: pray by and with) the mind. I will continue striking the strings and sing (or: making melody) in and by the (or: = my) spirit (or: attitude; the Breath-effect), yet I will also habitually strike the strings and sing (make melody) in and by the (or: = my) mind. ¹⁶ Else, if you may continue to speak a good word in spirit (or: to utter eulogies within [the] Spirit; to be blessing in union with Breath-effect), how will the one normally filling up the place of the private life of a non-specialist [note: = one who occupies the ordinary position of the "average person," being unskilled, uneducated, uninitiated into the secrets of life in the kingdom or the mysteries of Christ] normally say, "It is so! (or: Amen; Make it so!)" at your speaking of the ease and wholesomeness of grace, and your expression of gratitude – since he has not perceived and does not know what you are presently saying? ¹⁷ For you yourself are indeed constantly expressing the ease and wholesomeness of grace and showing gratitude in a beautiful, fine and ideal way – but still the different person is not being progressively built up (edified)! ¹⁸ I am habitually speaking of the ease and wholesomeness of grace in God, and giving thanks to God – I am habitually speaking in languages (or: constantly babbling in tongues) more than all of you folks! ¹⁹ Nevertheless, within the called-out assembly I constantly intend to speak five words by my mind (with my intellect and understanding) – to the end that I may also sound-down instruction on others – rather than an innumerable number (myriads) of words within a language (or: [ecstatic] tongue). ²⁰ Brothers (= Fellow members of the community)! Stop becoming little boys and girls in or by [your] way of thinking and use of intellect, but still be infants – non-speaking babies! – in the worthless, the ugly and the poor of quality or the evil. Yet progressively come to be mature as folks which manifest the purpose (full-grown; perfect; ones having reached the goal and express the destiny; or: = adults) in [your] way of thinking and use of intellect. ²¹ It has been written within the Law that, "In different (= foreign) languages (tongues) and with different (= foreign) lips shall I proceed in speaking to (with; in) this people – and not even in this manner will they proceed in paying attention to Me, or listen into and obey Me," [the] Lord [= Yahweh] is saying. [Isa. 28:11] ²² Consequently the languages (tongues) are [pointing] unto and [leading] into a sign – not for believers (or: to those constantly trusting), but rather for unbelievers (or: to those without trust or faith) – yet the prophecy (the publicly spoken message [from God]; the speaking of light ahead of time) [is] not for (or: to) unbelievers, but rather for believers (or: to those habitually trusting, progressively believing with conviction, and continuing loyal). ²³ Therefore, if the whole called-out community (the entire local assembly) should come together at the same [place], and everyone (or: all) should be speaking in languages (or: with [ecstatic] tongues), but then ordinary folks (= unlearned people of the private sector) or unbelievers should at some point enter, will they not proceed in saying that you folks are presently being crazy (continuing to behave as insane people; now acting raving mad)? ²⁴ Now if everyone may be prophesying, one after another, and some unbeliever (person without faith) or an ordinary uninstructed person may at some point enter, he is progressively being given the proof [of the situation], being exposed to convincing arguments, by everyone – [and] by everyone continues being sifted, sorted and held up so that a decision [regarding the situation] can come to him! ²⁵ The hidden things of his heart are now progressively coming to be set in clear light, and thus – falling upon [his] face – he will proceed to be worshiping God, progressively proclaiming back [to you] that God is existentially within, essentially in union with, and is presently being among you folks! ²⁶ What, then, is [the conclusion], brothers (= fellow members)? Whenever you folks may at some point come together: each one of you habitually has a psalm (song; tune played on a stringed instrument, with a poem); has a teaching; has an unveiling (revelation; a disclosure); has a language (or: a tongue); has a translation (or: interpretation) – all things (everything!) and every person [directed] toward edification, upbuilding and construction – let it habitually happen (normally come to be; constantly occur)! ²⁷ So if anyone is habitually speaking in a language (or: with a tongue) – let it be (or: to the extent of) two, or three, at the most – and then (or: also) let one be normally translating (or: interpreting). [comment: 2 or 3 – the number of true witness] ²⁸ Now if there may be no translator (or: interpreter) within [this] assembly of the called-out, let him or her continue in silence, yet let him or her continue to speak to (or: in) himself, and to (or: in; with) God.

⁸ "And so how are we ourselves now hearing – each one of us – in his own language and dialect, [the one] in which we were born?