Study Desk

In the Law^(af) it is written: "With other tongues and through the lips of foreigners I will speak to this people, but even then they will not listen to me,^(ag) says the Lord."^[e]

Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy,^(ah) however, is not for unbelievers but for believers.

So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and inquirers or unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind?^(ai)

But if an unbeliever or an inquirer comes in while everyone is prophesying, they are convicted of sin and are brought under judgment by all,

as the secrets^(aj) of their hearts are laid bare. So they will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, "God is really among you!"^(ak)

What then shall we say, brothers and sisters?^(al) When you come together, each of you^(am) has a hymn,^(an) or a word of instruction,^(ao) a revelation, a tongue^(ap) or an interpretation.^(aq) Everything must be done so that the church may be built up.^(ar)

If anyone speaks in a tongue, two—or at the most three—should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret.

If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and to God.

Two or three prophets^(as) should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said.^(at)

And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop.

For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged.

The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets.^(au)

For God is not a God of disorder^(av) but of peace^(aw)—as in all the congregations^(ax) of the Lord's people.^(ay)

Women^[f] should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak,^(az) but must be in submission,^(ba) as the law^(bb) says.

If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church.^[g]

Or did the word of God^(bc) originate with you? Or are you the only people it has reached?

If anyone thinks they are a prophet^(bd) or otherwise gifted by the Spirit,^(be) let them acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord's command.^(bf)

But if anyone ignores this, they will themselves be ignored.^[h]

Therefore, my brothers and sisters, be eager^(bg) to prophesy,^(bh) and do not forbid speaking in tongues.

But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly^(bi) way.