1 Corinthians 14:21-31 (New International Version)
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21
In the Law1 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,"a2 says the Lord.
22
Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy,3 however, is for believers, not for unbelievers.
23
So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and some who do not understandb or some unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind?4
24
But if an unbeliever or someone who does not understandc comes in while everybody is prophesying, he will be convinced by all that he is a sinner and will be judged by all,
25
and the secrets5 of his heart will be laid bare. So he will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, "God is really among you!"6
Orderly Worship
26 What then shall we say, brothers?7 When you come together, everyone8 has a hymn,9 or a word of instruction,10 a revelation, a tongue11 or an interpretation.12 All of these must be done for the strengthening13 of the church. 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 God. 29 Two or three prophets14 should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said.15 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.Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide. (New International Version Bible Online)
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