⁷ Now grace was given to each one of us^(A) according to the measure of Christ’s gift. ⁸ For it says:

⁹ But what does “he ascended” mean except that he^[b] also descended to the lower parts of the earth?^{[c](D) 10} The one who descended is also the one who ascended far above all the heavens,^(E) to fill all things.^{(F) 11} And he himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, ¹² to equip the saints for the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ,^{(G) 13} until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of God’s Son,^(H) growing into maturity with a stature^(I) measured by Christ’s fullness. ¹⁴ Then we will no longer be little children, tossed by the waves and blown around by every wind of teaching,^(J) by human cunning with cleverness in the techniques of deceit. ¹⁵ But speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every way into him who is the head^(K)—Christ. ¹⁶ From him the whole body, fitted and knit together^(L) by every supporting ligament, promotes the growth^(M) of the body for building itself up in love by the proper working of each individual part.

Order in Church Meetings

²⁶ What then, brothers and sisters? Whenever you come together, each one^[a] has a hymn, a teaching, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation.^(A) Everything is to be done for building up. ²⁷ If anyone speaks in a tongue, there are to be only two, or at the most three, each in turn, and let someone interpret. ²⁸ But if there is no interpreter, that person is to keep silent in the church and speak to himself and God. ²⁹ Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should evaluate.^{(B) 30} But if something has been revealed to another person sitting there, the first prophet should be silent. ³¹ For you can all prophesy one by one, so that everyone may learn and everyone may be encouraged.^{(C) 32} And the prophets’ spirits are subject to the prophets, ³³ since God is not a God of disorder but of peace.

As in all the churches of the saints,^{(D) 34} the women^[b] should be silent in the churches,^(E) for they are not permitted to speak, but are to submit themselves, as the law also says. ³⁵ If they want to learn something, let them ask their own husbands^(F) at home, since it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church. ³⁶ Or did the word of God originate from you, or did it come to you only?

³⁷ If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual, he should recognize that what I write to you is the Lord’s command. ³⁸ If anyone ignores this, he will be ignored.^{[c] 39} So then, my brothers and sisters, be eager^(G) to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. ⁴⁰ But everything is to be done decently^(H) and in order.