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1 Corinthians 14:21

Jesus
Prophecy

19 Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.

20 Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.

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.

22 Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.

23 If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?

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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

    For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people.

    Read in context

  • Jeremiah 5:15

    Lo, I will bring a nation upon you from far, O house of Israel, saith the LORD: it is a mighty nation, it is an ancient nation, a nation whose language thou knowest not, neither understandest what they say.

    Read in context

  • Deuteronomy 28:49

    The LORD shall bring a nation against thee from far, from the end of the earth, as swift as the eagle flieth; a nation whose tongue thou shalt not understand;

    Read in context