1
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not
charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
2
And 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 charity, I am nothing.
3
And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my
body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
4
Charity suffereth long,
and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed
up,
5
Doth not behave itself
unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
6
Rejoiceth not in
iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
7
Beareth all things, believeth
all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
8
Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail;
whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it
shall vanish away.
9
For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
10
But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall
be done away.
11
When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when
I became a man, I put away childish things.
12
For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know
in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
13
And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but
the greatest of
these is charity.