The Priority of Love

1Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not love, I am become as sounding brass, or a clanging cymbal.

2And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not love, I am nothing.

3And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not love, it profits me nothing.

The Qualities of Love

4Love suffers long, and is kind; love envies not; love vaunts not itself, is not puffed up,

5Does not behave itself rudely, seeks not her own, is not easily provoked, keeps no record of evil;

6Rejoices not in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;

7Bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

The Permanence of Love

8Love never fails: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

9For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.

10But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

11When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

12For now we see in a mirror dimly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

13And now abides faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.