1 If I speak in human languages, or even in those of angels, but do not have love, then I’ve become a clanging gong or else a clashing cymbal. 2 And if I should have prophetic gifts, and know all mysteries, all knowledge, too; have faith, to move the mountains, but have no love – I’m nothing. 3 If I give all my possessions to the poor, and, for pride’s sake, my very body, but do not have love, it’s useless to me.
4 Love’s great-hearted; love is kind, knows no jealousy, makes no fuss, is not puffed up, 5 no shameless ways, doesn’t force its rightful claim, doesn’t rage or bear a grudge, 6 doesn’t cheer at others’ harm, rejoices, rather, in the truth. 7 Love bears all things, believes all things, love hopes all things, endures all things. Love: the Bridge to God’s Future
8 Love never fails. But prophecies will be abolished; tongues will stop; and knowledge, too, be done away.
9 We know, you see, in part; we prophesy in part; 10 but, with perfection, the partial is abolished.
11 As a child I spoke, and thought, and reasoned like a child; when I grew up, I threw off childish ways.
12 For at the moment all that we can see are puzzling reflections in a mirror; then, face to face. I know in part, for now; but then I’ll know completely, through and through, even as I’m completely known.
13 So, now, faith, hope, and love remain, these three; and, of them, love is the greatest.
New Testament for Everyone (NTE)
Scripture quotations from The New Testament for Everyone are copyright © Nicholas Thomas Wright 2011.
