The Little Children and Jesus^(A)

¹³ People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. ¹⁴ When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.^{(B) 15} Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”^{(C) 16} And he took the children in his arms,^(D) placed his hands on them and blessed them.

Good Order in Worship

²⁶ What then shall we say, brothers and sisters?^(A) When you come together, each of you^(B) has a hymn,^(C) or a word of instruction,^(D) a revelation, a tongue^(E) or an interpretation.^(F) Everything must be done so that the church may be built up.^{(G) 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^(H) should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said.^{(I) 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.^{(J) 33} For God is not a God of disorder^(K) but of peace^(L)—as in all the congregations^(M) of the Lord’s people.^(N)

³⁴ Women^[a] should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak,^(O) but must be in submission,^(P) as the law^(Q) 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.^[b]

³⁶ Or did the word of God^(R) originate with you? Or are you the only people it has reached? ³⁷ If anyone thinks they are a prophet^(S) or otherwise gifted by the Spirit,^(T) let them acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord’s command.^{(U) 38} But if anyone ignores this, they will themselves be ignored.^[c]

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