20 Brothers and sisters, stop thinking like children.(A) In regard to evil be infants,(B) but in your thinking be adults. 21 In the Law(C) it is written:

“With other tongues
    and through the lips of foreigners
I will speak to this people,
    but even then they will not listen to me,(D)
says the Lord.”[a]

22 Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy,(E) however, is not for unbelievers but for believers. 23 So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and inquirers or unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind?(F) 24 But if an unbeliever or an inquirer comes in while everyone is prophesying, they are convicted of sin and are brought under judgment by all, 25 as the secrets(G) of their hearts are laid bare. So they will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, “God is really among you!”(H)

Good Order in Worship

26 What then shall we say, brothers and sisters?(I) When you come together, each of you(J) has a hymn,(K) or a word of instruction,(L) a revelation, a tongue(M) or an interpretation.(N) Everything must be done so that the church may be built up.(O) 27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, two—or at the most three—should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret. 28 If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and to God.

29 Two or three prophets(P) should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said.(Q) 30 And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop. 31 For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged. 32 The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets.(R) 33 For God is not a God of disorder(S) but of peace(T)—as in all the congregations(U) of the Lord’s people.(V)

34 Women[b] should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak,(W) but must be in submission,(X) as the law(Y) says. 35 If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church.[c]

36 Or did the word of God(Z) originate with you? Or are you the only people it has reached? 37 If anyone thinks they are a prophet(AA) or otherwise gifted by the Spirit,(AB) let them acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord’s command.(AC) 38 But if anyone ignores this, they will themselves be ignored.[d]

39 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, be eager(AD) to prophesy,(AE) and do not forbid speaking in tongues. 40 But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly(AF) way.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 14:21 Isaiah 28:11,12
  2. 1 Corinthians 14:34 Or peace. As in all the congregations of the Lord’s people, 34 women
  3. 1 Corinthians 14:35 In a few manuscripts these verses come after verse 40.
  4. 1 Corinthians 14:38 Some manuscripts But anyone who is ignorant of this will be ignorant

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

21 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?

24 But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all:

25 And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.

26 How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.

27 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.

28 But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.

29 Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.

30 If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.

31 For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.

32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.

33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

34 Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience as also saith the law.

35 And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.

36 What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?

37 If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.

38 But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.

39 Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.

40 Let all things be done decently and in order.

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