1
Though I speak in the ‘tongues’ of men, or even of angels, yet have not Love, I have become mere echoing brass, or a clanging cymbal!
2
Even though I have the gift of preaching, and fathom all hidden truths and all the depths of knowledge; even though I have such faith as might move mountains, yet have not Love, I am nothing!
3
Even though I dole my substance to the poor, even though I sacrifice my body, that I may boast, yet have not Love, it avails me nothing!
4
Love is long-suffering, and kind; Love is never envious, never boastful, never conceited, never behaves unbecomingly;
5
love is never self-seeking, never provoked, never reckons up her wrongs;
6
love never rejoices at evil, but rejoices in the triumph of Truth;
7
love bears with all things, every trustful, ever hopeful, ever patient.
8
Love never fails. But, whether it be the gift of preaching, it will be done with; whether it be the gift of ‘tongues,’ it will cease; whether it be knowledge, it, too, will be done with.
9
For our knowledge is incomplete, and our preaching is incomplete,
10
but, when the Perfect has come, that which is incomplete will be done with.
11
When I was a child, I talked as a child, I felt as a child, I reasoned as a child; now that I am a man, I have done with childish ways.
12
As yet we see, in a mirror, dimly, but then — face to face! As yet my knowledge is incomplete, but then I shall know in full, as I have been fully known.
13
Meanwhile Faith, Hope, and Love endure — these three, but the greatest of these is Love.