1Though I speak with the tongues of men and
of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding
brass, or a tinkling 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 charity,
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 charity, it profiteth me nothing.
4Charity suffereth long, and is
kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not
itself, is not puffed up,
5Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not
her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
6Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in
the truth;
7Beareth all things, believeth all things,
hopeth all things, endureth all things.
8Charity 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.
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 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.
12For 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.
13And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these
three; but the greatest of these is charity.