²¹ For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God^(A) as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.^(B)

³ But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening,^(A) encouraging^(B) and comfort.

¹⁸ I will raise up for them a prophet^(A) like you from among their fellow Israelites, and I will put my words^(B) in his mouth.^(C) He will tell them everything I command him.^{(D) 19} I myself will call to account^(E) anyone who does not listen^(F) to my words that the prophet speaks in my name.^{(G) 20} But a prophet who presumes to speak in my name anything I have not commanded, or a prophet who speaks in the name of other gods,^(H) is to be put to death.”^(I)

²¹ You may say to yourselves, “How can we know when a message has not been spoken by the Lord?” ²² If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the Lord does not take place or come true,^(J) that is a message the Lord has not spoken.^(K) That prophet has spoken presumptuously,^(L) so do not be alarmed.

Intelligibility in Worship

14 Follow the way of love^(A) and eagerly desire^(B) gifts of the Spirit,^(C) especially prophecy.^(D)

¹⁴ Therefore the Lord himself will give you^[a] a sign:^(A) The virgin^[b](B) will conceive and give birth to a son,^(C) and^[c] will call him Immanuel.^[d](D)

The Lord Will Be Israel’s Shepherd

34 The word of the Lord came to me: