1 Corinthians 13

New International Version

13 If I speak in the tongues^[a]^(A) of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. ²If I have the gift of prophecy^(B) and can fathom all mysteries^(C) and all knowledge,^(D) and if I have a faith^(E) that can move mountains,^(F) but do not have love, I am nothing. ³If I give all I possess to the poor^(G) and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,^[b]^(H) but do not have love, I gain nothing.

⁴Love is patient,^(I) love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.^(J) ⁵It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking,^(K) it is not easily angered,^(L) it keeps no record of wrongs.^(M) ⁶Love does not delight in evil^(N) but rejoices with the truth.^(O) ⁷It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.^(P)

⁸Love never fails. But where there are prophecies,^(Q) they will cease; where there are tongues,^(R) they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. ⁹For we know in part^(S) and we prophesy in part, ¹⁰but when completeness comes,^(T) what is in part disappears. ¹¹When 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 put the ways of childhood^(U) behind me. ¹²For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror;^(V) then we shall see face to face.^(W) Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.^(X)

¹³And now these three remain: faith, hope and love.^(Y) But the greatest of these is love.^(Z)

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Footnotes

1 Corinthians 13:1 Or languages
1 Corinthians 13:3 Some manuscripts body to the flames

1 Corinthians 14:1-10

New International Version

Intelligibility in Worship

14 Follow the way of love^(A) and eagerly desire^(B) gifts of the Spirit,^(C) especially prophecy.^(D) ²For anyone who speaks in a tongue^[a]^(E) does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them;^(F) they utter mysteries^(G) by the Spirit. ³But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening,^(H) encouraging^(I) and comfort. ⁴Anyone who speaks in a tongue^(J) edifies^(K) themselves, but the one who prophesies^(L) edifies the church. ⁵I would like every one of you to speak in tongues,^[b] but I would rather have you prophesy.^(M) The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues,^[c] unless someone interprets, so that the church may be edified.^(N)

⁶Now, brothers and sisters, if I come to you and speak in tongues, what good will I be to you, unless I bring you some revelation^(O) or knowledge^(P) or prophecy or word of instruction?^(Q) ⁷Even in the case of lifeless things that make sounds, such as the pipe or harp, how will anyone know what tune is being played unless there is a distinction in the notes? ⁸Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle?^(R) ⁹So it is with you. Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air. ¹⁰Undoubtedly there are all sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning.

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Footnotes

1 Corinthians 14:2 Or in another language; also in verses 4, 13, 14, 19, 26 and 27
1 Corinthians 14:5 Or in other languages; also in verses 6, 18, 22, 23 and 39
1 Corinthians 14:5 Or in other languages; also in verses 6, 18, 22, 23 and 39

Proverbs 2

New International Version

Moral Benefits of Wisdom

2 My son,^(A) if you accept my words
    and store up my commands within you,
²turning your ear to wisdom
    and applying your heart to understanding^(B)—
³indeed, if you call out for insight^(C)
    and cry aloud for understanding,
⁴and if you look for it as for silver
    and search for it as for hidden treasure,^(D)
⁵then you will understand the fear of the Lord
    and find the knowledge of God.^(E)
⁶For the Lord gives wisdom;^(F)
    from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.^(G)
⁷He holds success in store for the upright,
    he is a shield^(H) to those whose walk is blameless,^(I)
⁸for he guards the course of the just
    and protects the way of his faithful ones.^(J)

⁹Then you will understand^(K) what is right and just
    and fair—every good path.
¹⁰For wisdom will enter your heart,^(L)
    and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.
¹¹Discretion will protect you,
    and understanding will guard you.^(M)

¹²Wisdom will save^(N) you from the ways of wicked men,
    from men whose words are perverse,
¹³who have left the straight paths
    to walk in dark ways,^(O)
¹⁴who delight in doing wrong
    and rejoice in the perverseness of evil,^(P)
¹⁵whose paths are crooked^(Q)
    and who are devious in their ways.^(R)

¹⁶Wisdom will save you also from the adulterous woman,^(S)
    from the wayward woman with her seductive words,
¹⁷who has left the partner of her youth
    and ignored the covenant she made before God.^[a]^(T)
¹⁸Surely her house leads down to death
    and her paths to the spirits of the dead.^(U)
¹⁹None who go to her return
    or attain the paths of life.^(V)

²⁰Thus you will walk in the ways of the good
    and keep to the paths of the righteous.
²¹For the upright will live in the land,^(W)
    and the blameless will remain in it;
²²but the wicked^(X) will be cut off from the land,^(Y)
    and the unfaithful will be torn from it.^(Z)