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1 Corinthians 14:21

Jesus
Prophecy

19 But in the church, I would rather speak five coherent words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.

20 Brothers, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be mature.

It is written in the Law: “By strange tongues and foreign lips I will speak to this people, but even then they will not listen to Me, says the Lord.”

22 Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers, but for unbelievers. Prophecy, however, is for believers, not for unbelievers.

23 So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and some who are uninstructed or some unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your minds?

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This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
It is written in the Law: “By strange tongues and foreign lips I will speak to this people, but even then they will not listen to Me, says the Lord.”
KJV
In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord.
WEB
In the law it is written, “By men of strange languages and by the lips of strangers I will speak to this people. They won’t even listen to me that way, says the Lord.”
ASV
In the law it is written, By men of strange tongues and by the lips of strangers will I speak unto this people; and not even thus will they hear me, saith the Lord.
DARBY
It is written in the law, By people of other tongues, and by strange lips, will I speak to this people; and neither thus will they hear me, saith the Lord.
BLB
In the law it has been written: “With other tongues and with different lips I will speak to this people, and not even thus will they hear Me, says the Lord.”
ÅB
Det er skrevet i loven: Ved folk med fremmed tungemål og ved fremmedes lepper vil jeg tale til dette folk, og enda skal de ikke høre på meg, sier Herren.
OTB
I loven står det skrevet:
"Ved folk med fremmede tunger
og ved leppene til utlendinger
vil jeg tale til dette folket,
og ikke engang da vil de lytte til meg,"
sier Herren.
B1930
Det er skrevet i loven: Ved folk med fremmed tungemål og ved fremmedes leber vil jeg tale til dette folk, og enda skal de ikke høre på mig, sier Herren.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Isaiah 28:11–12

    Indeed, with mocking lips and foreign tongues, He will speak to this people

    Read in context

  • Jeremiah 5:15

    Behold, I am bringing a distant nation against you, O house of Israel,” declares the LORD. “It is an established nation, an ancient nation, a nation whose language you do not know and whose speech you do not understand.

    Read in context

  • Deuteronomy 28:49

    The LORD will bring a nation from afar, from the ends of the earth, to swoop down upon you like an eagle—a nation whose language you will not understand,

    Read in context