1 Corinthians 14:18–40

¹⁸I thank God I speak in a tongue more than all of you: ¹⁹but in the assembly I desire to speak five words with my understanding, that I may instruct others also, rather than ten thousand words in a tongue. ²⁰Brethren, be not children in your minds, but in malice be babes; but in your minds be grown men.

²¹It is written in the law, By people of other tongues, and by strange lips, will I speak to this people; and neither thus will they hear me, saith the Lord. ²²So that tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe, but to unbelievers; but prophecy, not to unbelievers, but to those who believe. ²³If therefore the whole assembly come together in one place, and all speak with tongues, and simple persons enter in, or unbelievers, will not they say ye are mad? ²⁴But if all prophesy, and some unbeliever or simple person come in, he is convicted of all, he is judged of all; ²⁵the secrets of his heart are manifested; and thus, falling upon his face, he will do homage to God, reporting that God is indeed amongst you.

²⁶What is it then, brethren? whenever ye come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done to edification. ²⁷If any one speak with a tongue, let it be two, or at the most three, and separately, and let one interpret; ²⁸but if there be no interpreter, let him be silent in the assembly, and let him speak to himself and to God. ²⁹And let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge. ³⁰But if there be a revelation to another sitting there, let the first be silent. ³¹For ye can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all be encouraged. ³²And spirits of prophets are subject to prophets. ³³For God is not a God of disorder but of peace, as in all the assemblies of the saints.

³⁴Let your women be silent in the assemblies, for it is not permitted to them to speak; but to be in subjection, as the law also says. ³⁵But if they wish to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is a shame for a woman to speak in assembly.

³⁶Did the word of God go out from you, or did it come to you only? ³⁷If any one thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him recognise the things that I write to you, that it is the Lord’s commandment. ³⁸But if any be ignorant, let him be ignorant. ³⁹So that, brethren, desire to prophesy, and do not forbid the speaking with tongues. ⁴⁰But let all things be done comelily and with order.