¹⁸I thank God that I speak in other languages more than all of you do. ¹⁹But in the church I would rather speak five words that people can understand than 10,000 words in another language. Then I would be teaching others.

²⁰Brothers and sisters, stop thinking like children. Be like babies as far as evil is concerned. But be grown up in your thinking. ²¹In the Law it is written,

“Through people who speak unfamiliar languages

and through the lips of strangers

I will speak to these people.

But even then they will not listen to me.”

That is what the Lord says.

²²So speaking in other languages is a sign for those who don’t believe. It is not a sign for those who do believe. But prophecy is for believers. It is not for those who don’t believe.

²³Suppose the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in other languages. And suppose visitors or unbelievers come in. Won’t they say you are out of your minds? ²⁴But suppose unbelievers or visitors come in while everyone is prophesying. Then they will be shown by all who speak that they are sinners. They will be judged by all. ²⁵The secrets of their hearts will be brought out into the open. They will fall down and worship God. They will exclaim, “God is really here among you!”

Proper Worship

²⁶Brothers and sisters, what should we say then? When you come together, every one of you brings something. You bring a hymn or a teaching or a word from God. You bring a message in another language or explain what was said. All of those things must be done to make the church strong.

²⁷No more than two or three people should speak in another language. And they should speak one at a time. Then someone must explain what was said. ²⁸If there is no one to explain, the speakers should keep quiet in the church. They can speak to themselves and to God.

²⁹Only two or three prophets are supposed to speak. Others should decide if what is being said is true. ³⁰What if a message from God comes to someone else who is sitting there? Then the one who is speaking should stop.

³¹Those who prophesy can all take turns. In that way, everyone can be taught and be given hope. ³²Those who prophesy should control their speaking. ³³God is not a God of disorder. He is a God of peace.

As in all the churches of God’s people, ³⁴women should remain silent in the meetings. They are not allowed to speak. They must follow the lead of those who are in authority, as the Law says. ³⁵If they have a question about something, they should ask their own husbands at home. It is shameful for women to speak in church meetings.

³⁶Did the word of God begin with you? Or are you the only people it has reached? ³⁷Suppose some think they are prophets or have gifts of the Holy Spirit. They should agree that what I am writing to you is the Lord’s command. ³⁸Anyone who does not recognize that will not be recognized.

³⁹Brothers and sisters, you should want to prophesy. And don’t stop people from speaking in languages they had not known before. ⁴⁰But everything should be done in a proper and orderly way.

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