Bible verses about "language" | Moffatt

⁸ Then how is it that each of us hears them in his own native tongue? ⁹ Parthians, Medes, Elamites, residents in Mesopotamia, in Judaea and Cappadocia, in Pontus and Asia, ¹⁰ in Phrygia and Pamphylia, in Egypt and the districts of Libya round Cyrene, visitors from Rome, Jews and proselytes, ¹¹ Cretans and Arabians, we hear these men talking of the triumphs of God in our own languages!"

¹⁰ There are ever so many kinds of language in the world, everyone of them meaning something.

² For he who speaks in a 'tongue' addresses God not men; no one understands him; he is talking of divine secrets in the Spirit. ³ On the other hand, he who prophesies addresses men in words that edify, encourage, and console them. ⁴ He who speaks in a 'tongue' edifies himself, whereas he who prophesies edifies the church. ⁵ Now I would like you all to speak with 'tongues,' but I would prefer you to prophesy. The man who prophesies is higher than the man who speaks with 'tongues' — unless indeed the latter interprets, so that the church may get edification. ⁶ Suppose now I were to come to you speaking with 'tongues,' my brothers; what good could I do you, unless I had some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching to lay before you? ⁷ Inanimate instruments, such as the flute or the harp, may give a sound, but if no intervals occur in their music, how can one make out the air that is being played either on flute or on harp? ⁸ If the trumpet sounds indistinct, who will get ready for the fray? ⁹ Well, it is the same with yourselves. Unless your tongue utters language that is readily understood, how can people make out what you say? You will be pouring words into the empty air! ¹⁰ There are ever so many kinds of language in the world, everyone of them meaning something. ¹¹ Well, unless I understand the meaning of what is said to me, I shall appear to the speaker to be talking gibberish, and to my mind he will be talking gibberish himself. ¹² So with yourselves; since your heart is set on possessing 'spirits,' make the edification of the church your aim in this desire to excel. ¹³ Thus a man who speaks in a 'tongue' must pray for the gift of interpreting it. ¹⁴ For if I pray with a 'tongue,' my spirit prays, no doubt, but my mind is no use to anyone. ¹⁵ Very well then, I will pray in the Spirit, but I will also pray with my mind; I will sing praise in the Spirit, but I will also sing praise with my mind. ¹⁶ Otherwise, suppose you are blessing God in the Spirit, how is the outsider to say 'Amen' to your thanksgiving? The man does not understand what you are saying! ¹⁷ Your thanksgiving may be all right, but then — the other man is not edified! ¹⁸ Thank God, I speak in 'tongues' more than any of you; ¹⁹ but in church I would rather say five words with my own mind for the instruction of other people than ten thousand words in a 'tongue.' ²⁰ Brothers, do not be children in the sphere of intelligence; in evil be mere infants, but be mature in your intelligence. ²¹ It is written in the Law, By men of alien tongues and by the lips of aliens I will speak to this People; but even so, they will not listen to me, saith the Lord. ²² Thus 'tongues' are intended as a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; whereas prophesying is meant for believers, not for unbelievers. ²³ Hence if at a gathering of the whole church everybody speaks with 'tongues,' and if outsiders or un believers come in, will they not say you are insane? ²⁴ Whereas, if everybody prophesies, and some unbeliever or outsider comes in, he is exposed by all, brought to book by all; ²⁵ the secrets of his heart are brought to light, and so, falling on his face, he will worship God, declaring, 'God is really among you.' ²⁶ Very well then, brothers; when you meet together, each contributes something — a song of praise, a lesson, a revelation, a 'tongue,' an interpretation? Good, but let every thing be for edification. ²⁷ As for speaking in a 'tongue,' let only two or at most three speak at one meeting, and that in turn. Also, let someone interpret; ²⁸ if there is no interpreter, let the speaker keep quiet in church and address himself and God.

⁸ Then how is it that each of us hears them in his own native tongue?