No more than two or three should speak in tongues. They must speak one at a time, and someone must interpret what they say.
Parallel translations
- WEB If any man speaks in another language, let it be two, or at the most three, and in turn; and let one interpret.
- KJV If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.
- BSB If anyone speaks in a tongue, two, or at most three, should speak in turn, and someone must interpret.
- NKJV If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at the most three, each in turn, and let one interpret.
- NASB If anyone speaks in a tongue, it must be by two or at the most three, and each one in turn, and one is to interpret;
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
If anyone speaks in a tongue, let only two or three do so, in turn, with one interpreting. Tongues must be limited and always interpreted.
Overview
Paul gives concrete guidelines to bring order to tongues in worship. Their use is restricted in number, taken in sequence, and never without interpretation. These limits protect the congregation from confusion and keep even this gift subordinate to the goal of edifying the church.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 1
- 1 Cor 14:26What is it then, brothers? When you come together, each one of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has another language, has an interpretation. Let all things be done to build each other up.
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Christ crucified is the wisdom and power of God; he is our Passover sacrificed for us, the firstfruits of resurrection, the foundation on which everything is built.
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Original language
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