Chapter 13

Charity is to be preferred before all other gifts.

1. 1

   If I speak with the tongues of men, and of Angels, and have not charity, I am become a sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

2. 2

   And if I should have prophecy, and should know all mysteries, and all knowledge: and if I should have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

3. 3

   And if I should distribute all my goods to feed the poor, and if I should deliver my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

4. 4

   Charity is patient, is kind: charity envieth not, dealeth not perversely, is not puffed up,

5. 5

   Is not ambitious, seeketh not her own, is not provoked to anger, thinketh no evil,

6. 6

   Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth with the truth:

7. 7

   Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

8. 8

   Charity never faileth; whether prophecies shall be made void, or tongues shall cease, or knowledge shall be destroyed.

9. 9

   For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.

10. 10

    But when that which is perfect shall come, that which is in part shall be done away.

11. 11

    When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child. But when I became a man, I put away the things of a child.

12. 12

    We see now through a glass in an obscure manner: but then face to face. Now I know I part: but then I shall know even as I am known.

13. 13

    And now there remain, faith, hope, charity, these three: but the greatest of these is charity.