Daily Bread

Good Order in Worship

²⁶ What then shall we say, brothers and sisters?^(A) When you come together, each of you^(B) has a hymn,^(C) or a word of instruction,^(D) a revelation, a tongue^(E) or an interpretation.^(F) Everything must be done so that the church may be built up.^{(G) 27} If anyone speaks in a tongue, two—or at the most three—should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret. ²⁸ If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and to God.

²⁹ Two or three prophets^(H) should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said.^{(I) 30} And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop. ³¹ For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged. ³² The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets.^{(J) 33} For God is not a God of disorder^(K) but of peace^(L)—as in all the congregations^(M) of the Lord’s people.^(N)

³⁴ Women^[a] should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak,^(O) but must be in submission,^(P) as the law^(Q) says. ³⁵ 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.^[b]

³⁶ Or did the word of God^(R) originate with you? Or are you the only people it has reached? ³⁷ If anyone thinks they are a prophet^(S) or otherwise gifted by the Spirit,^(T) let them acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord’s command.^{(U) 38} But if anyone ignores this, they will themselves be ignored.^[c]

³⁹ Therefore, my brothers and sisters, be eager^(V) to prophesy,^(W) and do not forbid speaking in tongues. ⁴⁰ But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly^(X) way.