1 Corinthians 14:26-40 : Easy-to-Read Version
Your Meetings Should Help the Church
26So, brothers [and sisters], what should you do? When you meet together, one person has a song, another person has a teaching, another person has a new truth from God, another person speaks in a [different] language, and another person interprets that language. The purpose of all these things should be to help [the church] grow strong. 27When you meet together, if any person speaks to the group in a [different] language, then it should be only two or not more than three people that do this. And they should speak one after the other. And another person should interpret [what they say]. 28But if there is no interpreter, then any person that speaks in a [different] language should be quiet in the church meeting. That person should speak only to himself and to God. 29And only two or three prophets*should speak. The others should judge what they say. 30And if a message from God comes to another person that is sitting, then the first speaker should be quiet. 31You can all prophesy*one after the other. In that way all the people can be taught and encouraged. 32The spirits of prophets are under the control of the prophets themselves. 33God is not a God of confusion but a God of peace. 34Women should keep quiet in these church meetings. This is the same as in all the churches of God's people. Women are not allowed to speak. They must be under authority, like the law [of Moses] says. 35If there is something the women want to know, then they should ask their own husbands at home. It is shameful for a woman to speak in the church meeting. 36Did God's teaching come from you? No! Or are you the only ones that have received that teaching? No! 37If any person thinks that he is a prophet*or that he has a spiritual gift, then that person should understand that what I am writing to you is the Lord's command. 38If that person does not know this, then he is not known [by God]. 39So my brothers [and sisters], you should truly want to prophesy.* And don't stop people from [using the gift of] speaking in [different] languages. 40But everything should be done in a way that is right and orderly.
prophet(s) People that speak for God. prophesy To speak or teach things from God.