Chapter 13 - Charity

1 Though I speak with the tongues1 (of men and of angels) and have not charity, I am become [as] sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.[2]


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.[3]


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.



Chapter 14





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