Love

1For if I speak with the tongues of men and angels, and have not charity, I am but as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 2And though I have the gift of prophecy, and am acquainted with all mysteries, and all knowledge: yea if I have faith, even to remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. 3And though I give all my substance to feed the poor, and my body to be burnt, and have not charity, I am nothing profited.

4Charity beareth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity is not insolent, is not puffed up, 5doth not behave indecently, is not selfish, is not easily provoked, 6suspecteth no evil, rejoiceth not at injustice, but rejoiceth in the truth: 7covereth all faults, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

8Charity never faileth: but as to prophecies, they shall be abolished; or tongues, they shall cease; or knowledge, it shall be laid aside. 9For now we know but in part, and we prophesy but in part. 10But when that which is perfect shall come, then that which is defective shall be laid aside. 11When I was a child, I spake as a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned as a child: but when I became a man, I laid aside childish things. 12For we see now as through a mirror obscurely: but then we shall see face to face. Now I know but in part, but then I shall know even as I am known. 13And now abideth faith, hope, love, these three graces; but the greatest of these is love.