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A Call to Orderly Worship

26 Well, my brothers and sisters, let’s summarize. When you meet together, one will sing, another will teach, another will tell some special revelation God has given, one will speak in tongues, and another will interpret what is said. But everything that is done must strengthen all of you.

27 No more than two or three should speak in tongues. They must speak one at a time, and someone must interpret what they say. 28 But if no one is present who can interpret, they must be silent in your church meeting and speak in tongues to God privately.

29 Let two or three people prophesy, and let the others evaluate what is said. 30 But if someone is prophesying and another person receives a revelation from the Lord, the one who is speaking must stop. 31 In this way, all who prophesy will have a turn to speak, one after the other, so that everyone will learn and be encouraged. 32 Remember that people who prophesy are in control of their spirit and can take turns. 33 For God is not a God of disorder but of peace, as in all the meetings of God’s holy people.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. 14:33 The phrase as in all the meetings of God’s holy people could instead be joined to the beginning of 14:34.

Maintain Order in the Church

26 What, then, does this mean,[a] brothers? When you gather, everyone has a psalm, teaching, revelation, foreign language, or interpretation. Everything must be done for upbuilding. 27 If anyone speaks in a foreign language, only two or three at the most should do so, one at a time, and somebody must interpret. 28 If an interpreter is not present, the speaker[b] should remain silent in the church and speak to himself and God.

29 Two or three prophets should speak, and others should weigh carefully what is said. 30 If a revelation is made to another person who is seated, the first person should be silent. 31 For everyone can prophesy in turn, so that everyone can be instructed and everyone can be encouraged. 32 The spirits of prophets are subject to the prophets, 33 for God[c] is not a God of disorder but of peace.

As[d] in all the churches of the saints,

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 14:26 The Gk. lacks does this mean
  2. 1 Corinthians 14:28 Lit. present, he
  3. 1 Corinthians 14:33 Lit. he
  4. 1 Corinthians 14:33 Or peace, as in all the churches of the saints. 34 The