1Cor.14.20

To be perfectly frank, I'm getting exasperated with your infantile thinking. How long before you grow up and use your head--your adult head? It's all right to have a childlike unfamiliarity with evil; a simple no is all that's needed there. But there's far more to saying yes to something. Only mature and well-exercised intelligence can save you from falling into gullibility.

1Cor.14.20

Brothers, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults.

1Cor.14.20

Brethren, do not be children in understanding; however, in malice be babes, but in understanding be mature.

1Cor.14.20

Dear brothers and sisters, don't be childish in your understanding of these things. Be innocent as babies when it comes to evil, but be mature and wise in understanding matters of this kind.

1Cor.14.21

It's written in Scripture that God said, In strange tongues and from the mouths of strangers I will preach to this people, but they'll neither listen nor believe.

1Cor.14.21

In the Law it is written: "Through men of strange tongues and through the lips of foreigners I will speak to this people, but even then they will not listen to me," says the Lord.

1Cor.14.21

In the law it is written: "With men of other tongues and other lips I will speak to this people; And yet, for all that, they will not hear Me," says the Lord.

1Cor.14.21

It is written in the Scriptures, "I will speak to my own people through unknown languages and through the lips of foreigners. But even then, they will not listen to me," says the Lord.

1Cor.14.22

So where does it get you, all this speaking in tongues no one understands? It doesn't help believers, and it only gives unbelievers something to gawk at. Plain truth-speaking, on the other hand, goes straight to the heart of believers and doesn't get in the way of unbelievers.

1Cor.14.22

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

1Cor.14.22

Therefore tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophesying is not for unbelievers but for those who believe.

1Cor.14.22

So you see that speaking in tongues is a sign, not for believers, but for unbelievers; prophecy, however, is for the benefit of believers, not unbelievers.

1Cor.14.23

If you come together as a congregation and some unbelieving outsiders walk in on you as you're all praying in tongues, unintelligible to each other and to them, won't they assume you've taken leave of your senses and get out of there as fast as they can?

1Cor.14.23

So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and some who do not understand or some unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind?

1Cor.14.23

Therefore if the whole church comes together in one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those who are uninformed or unbelievers, will they not say that you are out of your mind?

1Cor.14.23

Even so, if unbelievers or people who don't understand these things come into your meeting and hear everyone talking in an unknown language, they will think you are crazy.

1Cor.14.24

But if some unbelieving outsiders walk in on a service where people are speaking out God's truth, the plain words will bring them up against the truth

1Cor.14.24

But if an unbeliever or someone who does not understand comes in while everybody is prophesying, he will be convinced by all that he is a sinner and will be judged by all,

1Cor.14.24

But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an uninformed person comes in, he is convinced by all, he is convicted by all.

1Cor.14.24

But if all of you are prophesying, and unbelievers or people who don't understand these things come into your meeting, they will be convicted of sin, and they will be condemned by what you say.

1Cor.14.25

and probe their hearts. Before you know it, they're going to be on their faces before God, recognizing that God is among you.

1Cor.14.25

and the secrets of his heart will be laid bare. So he will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, "God is really among you!"

1Cor.14.25

And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed; and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God and report that God is truly among you.

1Cor.14.25

As they listen, their secret thoughts will be laid bare, and they will fall down on their knees and worship God, declaring, "God is really here among you."

1Cor.14.26

So here's what I want you to do. When you gather for worship, each one of you be prepared with something that will be useful for all: Sing a hymn, teach a lesson, tell a story, lead a prayer, provide an insight.

1Cor.14.26

What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church.

1Cor.14.26

How is it then, brethren? Whenever you 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 for edification.

1Cor.14.26

Well, my brothers and sisters, let's summarize what I am saying. When you meet, one will sing, another will teach, another will tell some special revelation God has given, one will speak in an unknown language, while another will interpret what is said. But everything that is done must be useful to all and build them up in the Lord.

1Cor.14.27

If prayers are offered in tongues, two or three's the limit, and then only if someone is present who can interpret what you're saying.

1Cor.14.27

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

1Cor.14.27

If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at the most three, each in turn, and let one interpret.

1Cor.14.27

No more than two or three should speak in an unknown language. They must speak one at a time, and someone must be ready to interpret what they are saying.

1Cor.14.28

Otherwise, keep it between God and yourself.

1Cor.14.28

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

1Cor.14.28

But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in church, and let him speak to himself and to God.

1Cor.14.28

But if no one is present who can interpret, they must be silent in your church meeting and speak in tongues to God privately.

1Cor.14.29

And no more than two or three speakers at a meeting, with the rest of you listening and taking it to heart.

1Cor.14.29

Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said.

1Cor.14.29

Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge.

1Cor.14.29

Let two or three prophesy, and let the others evaluate what is said.

1Cor.14.30

Take your turn, no one person taking over.

1Cor.14.30

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

1Cor.14.30

But if anything is revealed to another who sits by, let the first keep silent.

1Cor.14.30

But if someone is prophesying and another person receives a revelation from the Lord, the one who is speaking must stop.

1Cor.14.31

Then each speaker gets a chance to say something special from God, and you all learn from each other.

1Cor.14.31

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

1Cor.14.31

For you can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be encouraged.

1Cor.14.31

In this way, all who prophesy will have a turn to speak, one after the other, so that everyone will learn and be encouraged.

1Cor.14.32

If you choose to speak, you're also responsible for how and when you speak.

1Cor.14.32

The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets.

1Cor.14.32

And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.

1Cor.14.32

Remember that people who prophesy are in control of their spirit and can wait their turn.

1Cor.14.33

When we worship the right way, God doesn't stir us up into confusion; he brings us into harmony. This goes for all the churches--no exceptions.

1Cor.14.33

For God is not a God of disorder but of peace.

1Cor.14.33

For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.

1Cor.14.33

For God is not a God of disorder but of peace, as in all the other churches.

1Cor.14.34

Wives must not disrupt worship, talking when they should be listening,

1Cor.14.34

As in all the congregations of the saints, women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the Law says.

1Cor.14.34

Let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the law also says.

1Cor.14.34

Women should be silent during the church meetings. It is not proper for them to speak. They should be submissive, just as the law says.

1Cor.14.35

asking questions that could more appropriately be asked of their husbands at home. God's Book of the law guides our manners and customs here. Wives have no license to use the time of worship for unwarranted speaking.

1Cor.14.35

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.

1Cor.14.35

And if they want to learn something, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is shameful for women to speak in church.

1Cor.14.35

If they have any questions to ask, let them ask their husbands at home, for it is improper for women to speak in church meetings.

1Cor.14.36

Do you--both women and men--imagine that you're a sacred oracle determining what's right and wrong? Do you think everything revolves around you?

1Cor.14.36

Did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only people it has reached?

1Cor.14.36

Or did the word of God come originally from you? Or was it you only that it reached?

1Cor.14.36

Do you think that the knowledge of God's word begins and ends with you Corinthians? Well, you are mistaken!

1Cor.14.37

If any one of you thinks God has something for you to say or has inspired you to do something, pay close attention to what I have written. This is the way the Master wants it.

1Cor.14.37

If anybody thinks he is a prophet or spiritually gifted, let him acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord's command.

1Cor.14.37

If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord.

1Cor.14.37

If you claim to be a prophet or think you are very spiritual, you should recognize that what I am saying is a command from the Lord himself.

1Cor.14.38

If you won't play by these rules, God can't use you. Sorry.

1Cor.14.38

If he ignores this, he himself will be ignored.

1Cor.14.38

But if anyone is ignorant, let him be ignorant.

1Cor.14.38

But if you do not recognize this, you will not be recognized.

1Cor.14.39

Three things, then, to sum this up: When you speak forth God's truth, speak your heart out. Don't tell people how they should or shouldn't pray when they're praying in tongues that you don't understand.

1Cor.14.39

Therefore, my brothers, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.

1Cor.14.39

Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues.

1Cor.14.39

So, dear brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and don't forbid speaking in tongues.

1Cor.14.40

Be courteous and considerate in everything.

1Cor.14.40

But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.

1Cor.14.40

Let all things be done decently and in order.

1Cor.14.40

But be sure that everything is done properly and in order.