If I speak with the ^atongues of men and of ^bangels, but have not ¹love for others growing out of God’s love for me, then I have become only a noisy gong or a ^cclanging cymbal just an annoying distraction. 2 And if I have the gift of ^aprophecy and speak a new message from God to the people, and understand all ^bmysteries, and possess all ^cknowledge; and if I have ^dall sufficient faith so that I can ^eremove mountains, but do not have love reaching out to others, I am nothing. 3 If I ^agive all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I ^bsurrender my body ¹to be burned, but do not have love, it does me no good at all.

4 Love ^aendures with patience and serenity, love is kind and thoughtful, and ^bis not jealous or envious; love does not brag and is not ^cproud or arrogant. 5 It is not rude; it ^ais not self-seeking, it is not provoked nor overly sensitive and easily angered; it ^bdoes not take into account a wrong endured. 6 ^aIt does not rejoice at injustice, but ^brejoices with the truth when right and truth prevail. 7 ^aLove bears all things regardless of what comes, believes all things looking for the best in each one, hopes all things remaining steadfast during difficult times, endures all things without weakening.

8 Love never fails it never fades nor ends. But as for ^aprophecies, they will pass away; as for ^btongues, they will cease; as for the gift of special knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we ^aknow in part, and we prophesy in part for our knowledge is fragmentary and incomplete. 10 But when that which is complete and perfect comes, that which is incomplete and partial will pass away. 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 did away with childish things. 12 For now in this time of imperfection we ^asee in a mirror dimly a blurred reflection, a riddle, an enigma, but then when the time of perfection comes we will see reality ^bface to face. Now I know in part just in fragments, but then I will know fully, just as I ^chave been fully known by God. 13 And now there remain: faith abiding trust in God and His promises, hope confident expectation of eternal salvation, love unselfish love for others growing out of God’s love for me, these three the choicest graces; but the greatest of these is ^alove.