ACts 2
2 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a noise came from heaven. It sounded like a strong wind blowing. This noise filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw something that looked like flames of fire. The flames were separated and stood over each person there. 4 They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they began to speak different languages. The Holy Spirit was giving them the power to do this.
5 There were some godly Jews in Jerusalem at this time.
They were from every country in the world. 6 A large crowd came together because they heard the noise.
They were surprised because, as the apostles were speaking, everyone heard in their own language.
7 They were all amazed at this. They did not understand how the apostles could do this. They said, “Look! These men we hear speaking are all from Galilee.[
a] 8 But
we hear them in our own languages. How is this possible?
We are from all these different places: 9 Parthia, Media, Elam, Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, Asia, 10 Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, the areas of Libya near the city of Cyrene, Rome, 11 Crete, and Arabia. Some of us were born Jews, and others have changed their religion to worship God like Jews.
We are from these different countries, but
we can hear these men in our own languages! We can all understand the great things they are saying about God.”
Acts 2 proves it is known languages. Paul's illustration about Music also has that meaning.
Paul's quote of Isaiah 28:11 in I cor 14:21 seals the text as being known human languages.
I cor 14
9 It is the same with you. If you don’t speak clearly in a language people know, they cannot understand what you are saying. You will be talking to the air! 10 It is true that there are many different languages in the world, and they all have meaning. 11 But if I don’t understand the meaning of what someone is saying, it will just be strange sounds to me, and I will sound just as strange to them. 12 That’s why you who want spiritual gifts so much should prefer those gifts that help the church grow stronger.
13 So those who have the gift of
speaking in a different language should pray that they can also interpret what they say. 14 If I pray in a different language, my spirit is praying, but my mind does nothing. 15 So what should I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind. I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind. 16 You might be praising God with your spirit. But someone there without understanding cannot say “Amen” to your prayer of thanks, because they don’t know what you are saying. 17 You may be thanking God in a good way, but others are not helped.
18 I thank God that my gift of speaking in different kinds of languages is greater than any of yours. 19 But in the church meetings I would rather speak five words that I understand than thousands of words in a different language. I would rather speak with my understanding, so that I can teach others.
20 Brothers and sisters, don’t think like children. In evil things be like babies, but in your thinking you should be like full-grown adults. 21 As the Scriptures[a] say,
“Using those who speak a different language
and using the lips of foreigners,
I will speak to these people.
But even then, they will not obey me.”
This is what the Lord says.
22 And from this we see that the use of different languages shows how God deals with those who don’t believe, not with those who believe. And prophecy shows how God works through those who believe, not through unbelievers. 23 Suppose the whole church meets together and you all speak in different languages. If some people come in who are without understanding or don’t believe, they will say you are crazy. 24 But suppose you are all prophesying and someone comes in who does not believe or who is without understanding. Their sin will be shown to them, and they will be judged by everything you say. 25 The secret things in their heart will be made known. So they will bow down and worship God. They will say, “Without a doubt, God is here with you.”
Isaiah 28:11
New International Version
Very well then, with
foreign lips and strange tongues God will speak to this people,
Berean Study Bible
Indeed, with
mocking lips and
foreign tongues, He will speak to this people
Amplified Bible
Indeed, the LORD will teach this people [
in a more humiliating way] By [men with] stammering lips and a
foreign tongue,
Brenton Septuagint Translation
by reason of the
contemptuous words of the lips, by means of
another language: for they shall speak to this people, saying to them,
Good News Translation
If you won't listen to me, then God will use
foreigners speaking some strange-sounding language to teach you a lesson.
GOD'S WORD® Translation
The LORD will speak to these people.
He will mock them by speaking in a foreign language.
International Standard Version
Very well, then, through the
mouths of foreigners and foreign languages the LORD will speak to this people
Literal Standard Version
For by
scorned lip, and by another tongue, Does He speak to this people.
NET Bible
For with
mocking lips and a
foreign tongue he will speak to these people.
Young's Literal Translation
For by scorned lip, and by another tongue, Doth He speak unto this people.
Catholic Public Domain Version
For with the speech of lips and with a
different language, he will speak to this people.
Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Because with difficult speech and in another language I shall speak with this people
Lamsa Bible
For with a difficult speech and with an
alien tongue will he speak to this people.
Brenton Septuagint Translation
by reason of the
contemptuous words of the lips, by means of
another language: for they shall speak to this people, saying to them,
NET Bible
For with
mocking lips and a foreign tongue he will speak to these people.
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