Book of Common Prayer

²⁰ Brethren, do not be children in understanding. As concerning evil, be children, but in understanding be mature. ²¹ In the law it is written: With other tongues and with other lips I will speak to this people, and yet for all that, they will not hear me, says the Lord. ²² Therefore tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe, but to those who believe not. On the other hand, prophesying serves not for those who don’t believe, but for those who believe.

²³ If, therefore, when all the congregation has come together and all speak with tongues, there come in people who are unlearned, or those who do not believe, will they not say that you are out of your minds? ²⁴ But if all prophesy and there comes in one who does not believe, or one unlearned, he is convicted by everyone, and is judged by everyone. ²⁵ And in this way the secrets of his heart are opened, and so he falls down on his face and worships God, and says that God is with you indeed.

²⁶ How is it then, brethren? When you come together, each one has his song, has his word, has his tongue, has his revelation, has his interpretation. Let all things be done for edifying. ²⁷ If any man speaks with tongues, let it be two in all, or at the most three in all, and that by turn; and let another interpret it. ²⁸ But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silence in the congregation, and let him speak to himself and to God.

²⁹ Let the prophets speak two in all, or three in all, and let the others judge. ³⁰ If any revelation is made to another who sits by, let the first hold his peace. ³¹ For you may all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn, and all may have comfort. ³² For the spirits of the prophets are in the control of the prophets. ³³ For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as he is in all other congregations of the saints.

³⁹ And so, brethren, desire to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues. ⁴⁰ And let all things be done decently and in order.

⁴² But whoever hurts one of these little ones that believe in me, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were cast into the sea. ⁴³ Therefore if your hand causes you to offend, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed than, having two hands, to go into hell, into fire that never shall be quenched, ⁴⁴ where their worm dies not and the fire never goes out. ⁴⁵ Likewise, if your foot causes you to offend, cut it off. For it is better for you to go lame into life than, having two feet, to be cast into hell, into fire that never shall be quenched, ⁴⁶ where their worm dies not and the fire never goes out. ⁴⁷ So also if your eye causes you to offend, tear it out. It is better for you to go into the kingdom of God with one eye than, having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire, ⁴⁸ where their worm dies not and the fire never goes out.

⁴⁹ Every man therefore must be salted with fire. And every sacrifice must be seasoned with salt. ⁵⁰ Salt is good. But if the salt is unsavoury, what can you salt with it? See that you have salt in yourselves. And have peace among yourselves, one with another.