New Testament in a Year
21 In the Law it is written,
“By means of foreign languages
and through the mouths of foreigners
I will speak to this people,
but even then they will not listen to me,”[a]
declares the Lord.
22 Foreign languages, then, are meant to be a sign, not for believers, but for unbelievers, while prophecy is meant, not for unbelievers, but for believers. 23 Now if the whole church gathers in the same place and everyone is speaking in foreign languages, when uneducated people or unbelievers come in, they will say that you are out of your mind, won’t they? 24 But if everyone is prophesying, when an unbeliever or an uneducated person comes in he will be convicted and examined by everything that’s happening.[b] 25 His secret, inner heart will become known, and so he will bow down to the ground and worship God, declaring, “God is truly among you!”
Maintain Order in the Church
26 What, then, does this mean,[c] 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[d] 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[e] is not a God of disorder but of peace.
As[f] in all the churches of the saints, 34 the women must keep silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak out, but must place themselves in submission, as the oral[g] law also says. 35 If they want to learn anything, they should ask their own husbands at home, for it is inappropriate for a woman to speak out in church.[h]
36 Did God’s word originate with you? Are you the only ones[i] it has reached? 37 If anyone thinks he is a prophet or a spiritual person, he must acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord’s command. 38 But if anyone ignores this, he should be ignored.[j]
39 Therefore, my brothers, desire the ability to prophesy, and do not prevent others from speaking in foreign languages. 40 But everything must be done in a proper and orderly way.
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