Love

1

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love,

I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.

2

If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge,

and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.

3

If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames,

but have not love, I gain nothing.

4

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.

5

It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered,

it keeps no record of wrongs.

6

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.

7

It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

8

Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease;

where there are tongues, they will be stilled;

where there is knowledge, it will pass away.

9

For we know in part and we prophesy in part,

10

but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears.

11

When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child,

I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.

12

Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face.

Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

13

And now these three remain:

faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.