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27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. 28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? 30 have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? 31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.

13 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 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. 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.

Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

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. 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.

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.

27 Now you are the body of Christ,(A) and each one of you is a part of it.(B) 28 And God has placed in the church(C) first of all apostles,(D) second prophets,(E) third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing,(F) of helping, of guidance,(G) and of different kinds of tongues.(H) 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues[a]?(I) Do all interpret? 31 Now eagerly desire(J) the greater gifts.

Love Is Indispensable

And yet I will show you the most excellent way.

13 If I speak in the tongues[b](K) of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy(L) and can fathom all mysteries(M) and all knowledge,(N) and if I have a faith(O) that can move mountains,(P) but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor(Q) and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,[c](R) but do not have love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient,(S) love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.(T) It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking,(U) it is not easily angered,(V) it keeps no record of wrongs.(W) Love does not delight in evil(X) but rejoices with the truth.(Y) It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.(Z)

Love never fails. But where there are prophecies,(AA) they will cease; where there are tongues,(AB) they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part(AC) and we prophesy in part, 10 but when completeness comes,(AD) what is in part disappears. 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 put the ways of childhood(AE) behind me. 12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror;(AF) then we shall see face to face.(AG) Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.(AH)

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

Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 12:30 Or other languages
  2. 1 Corinthians 13:1 Or languages
  3. 1 Corinthians 13:3 Some manuscripts body to the flames