1 Corinthians 14:20-40

Contemporary English Version

²⁰ My friends, stop thinking like children. Think like mature people and be as innocent as tiny babies. ^21 (A) In the Scriptures the Lord says,

²² Languages others don't know may mean something to unbelievers, but not to the Lord's followers. Prophecy, on the other hand, is for followers, not for unbelievers. ²³ Suppose everyone in your worship service started speaking unknown languages, and some outsiders or some unbelievers come in. Won't they think you are crazy? ²⁴ But suppose all of you are prophesying when those unbelievers and outsiders come in. They will realize that they are sinners, and they will want to change their ways because of what you are saying. ²⁵ They will tell what is hidden in their hearts. Then they will kneel down and say to God, “We are certain that you are with these people.”

Worship Must Be Orderly

²⁶ My friends, when you meet to worship, you must do everything for the good of everyone there. That's how it should be when someone sings or teaches or tells what God has said or speaks an unknown language or explains what the language means. ²⁷ No more than two or three of you should speak unknown languages during the meeting. You must take turns, and someone should always be there to explain what you mean. ²⁸ If no one can explain, you must keep silent in church and speak only to yourself and to God.

²⁹ Two or three persons may prophesy, and everyone else must listen carefully. ³⁰ If someone sitting there receives a message from God, the speaker must stop and let the other person speak. ³¹ Let only one person speak at a time, then all of you will learn something and be encouraged. ³² A prophet should be willing to stop and let someone else speak. ³³ God wants everything to be done peacefully and in order.

When God's people meet in church, ³⁴ the women must not be allowed to speak. They must keep quiet and listen, as the Law of Moses teaches. ³⁵ If there is something they want to know, they can ask their husbands when they get home. It is disgraceful for women to speak in church.

³⁶ God's message did not start with you people, and you are not the only ones it has reached.

³⁷ If you think of yourself as a prophet or a spiritual person, you will know I am writing only what the Lord has commanded. ³⁸ So don't pay attention to anyone who ignores what I am writing. ³⁹ My friends, be eager to prophesy and don't stop anyone from speaking languages that others don't know. ⁴⁰ But do everything properly and in order.