Book of Common Prayer

Final instructions for worship

²⁶ So where does this leave us, my brothers and sisters? When you come together, one person has a psalm, another some teaching, another a revelation, another a tongue, and another some interpretation. Let everything be done for the general upbuilding. ²⁷ If anyone speaks in a tongue, there should be two or at most three, each taking their turn, and one of them should put it into plain speech. ²⁸ But if none of them can do that, let them be silent in the assembly, and speak to themselves and to God.

²⁹ As for prophets, let two or three speak, and the others evaluate what is said. ³⁰ If fresh revelation comes to someone sitting there, the first person should be silent. ³¹ You can all prophesy one by one, so that everyone can learn, and everyone can be encouraged. ³² The spirits of prophets are under the control of prophets, ³³ since God is the God, not of chaos, but of peace.

As in all the assemblies of God’s people,

³⁷ If anyone thinks they are a prophet, or spiritual, they should acknowledge that what I write to you is the Lord’s command. ³⁸ If anyone disregards this, they can be disregarded.

³⁹ So, my brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and don’t forbid speaking in tongues. ⁴⁰ But everything should be done in a seemly fashion, and in proper order.

³⁴ “Don’t think it’s my job to bring peace on the earth. I didn’t come to bring peace—I came to bring a sword! ³⁵ I came to divide a man from his father, a daughter from her mother, and a daughter-in-law from her mother-in-law. ³⁶ Yes, you’ll find your enemies inside your own front door.

³⁷ “If you love your father or mother more than me, you don’t deserve me. If you love your son or daughter more than me, you don’t deserve me. ³⁸ Anyone who doesn’t pick up their cross and follow after me doesn’t deserve me. ³⁹ If you find your life you’ll lose it, and if you lose your life because of me you’ll find it.

⁴⁰ “Anyone who welcomes you, welcomes me; and anyone who welcomes me, welcomes the one who sent me. ⁴¹ Anyone who welcomes a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward; and anyone who receives an upright person in the name of an upright person will receive an upright person’s reward. ⁴² Anyone who gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones, in the name of a disciple—I’m telling you the truth, they won’t go short of their reward!”