⁷ Come, ^(A)let us go down and there confuse their language, so that they may not understand one another's speech.”

⁴ And they were all ^(A)filled with the Holy Spirit and began ^(B)to speak in other tongues ^(C)as the Spirit gave them utterance.

⁵ Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. ⁶ And ^(D)at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. ⁷ And ^(E)they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking ^(F)Galileans? ⁸ And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? ⁹ Parthians and ^(G)Medes and ^(H)Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, ¹⁰ Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, ¹¹ both Jews and ^(I)proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.”

²⁶ Then God said, ^(A)“Let us make man^[a] in our image, ^(B)after our likeness. And ^(C)let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”

²³ If, therefore, the whole church comes together and all speak in tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, ^(A)will they not say that you are out of your minds?

² For ^(A)one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit. ³ On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation. ⁴ The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church. ⁵ Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but ^(B)even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up.

⁶ Now, brothers,^[a] if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit you unless I bring you some ^(C)revelation or knowledge or prophecy or ^(D)teaching? ⁷ If even lifeless instruments, such as the flute or the harp, do not give distinct notes, how will anyone know what is played? ⁸ And ^(E)if the bugle gives an indistinct sound, who will get ready for battle? ⁹ So with yourselves, if with your tongue you utter speech that is not intelligible, how will anyone know what is said? For you will be ^(F)speaking into the air. ¹⁰ There are doubtless many different languages in the world, and none is without meaning, ¹¹ but if I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be ^(G)a foreigner to the speaker and the speaker a foreigner to me.

Isaiah's Commission from the Lord

⁸ And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for ^(A)us?” Then I said, “Here I am! Send me.”