1 Corinthians 14:20–33

Instruction for the Church

20 aBrethren, bdo not be children in your thinking; yet in evil cbe infants, but in your thinking be mature.

21 In athe Law it is written, “bBy men of strange tongues and by the lips of strangers I will speak to this people, and even so they will not listen to Me,” says the Lord.

22 So then tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but aprophecy is for a sign, not to unbelievers but to those who believe.

23 Therefore if the whole church assembles together and all speak in tongues, and 1ungifted men or unbelievers enter, will they not say that ayou are mad?

24 But if all aprophesy, and an unbeliever or an 1ungifted man enters, he is bconvicted by all, he is called to account by all;

25 athe secrets of his heart are disclosed; and so he will bfall on his face and worship God, cdeclaring that God is certainly among you.

26 aWhat is the outcome then, bbrethren? When you assemble, ceach one has a dpsalm, has a eteaching, has a erevelation, has a ftongue, has an ginterpretation. Let hall things be done for edification.

27 If anyone speaks in a atongue, it should be by two or at the most three, and each in turn, and one must binterpret;

28 but if there is no interpreter, he must keep silent in the church; and let him speak to himself and to God.

29 Let two or three aprophets speak, and let the others bpass judgment.

30 But if a revelation is made to another who is seated, the first one must keep silent.

31 For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all may be exhorted;

32 and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets;

33 for God is not a God of aconfusion but of 1peace, as in ball the churches of the csaints.