Concerning Food Sacrificed to Idols

8 Now about food sacrificed to idols:^(A) We know that “We all possess knowledge.”^(B) But knowledge puffs up while love builds up.

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. ² If 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. ³ If 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.

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

⁸ Love 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. ⁹ For we know in part^(S) and we prophesy in part, ¹⁰ but when completeness comes,^(T) 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^(U) behind me. ¹² For 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)

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

Love in Action

⁹ Love must be sincere.^(A) Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.^{(B) 10} Be devoted to one another in love.^(C) Honor one another above yourselves.^{(D) 11} Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor,^(E) serving the Lord. ¹² Be joyful in hope,^(F) patient in affliction,^(G) faithful in prayer.^{(H) 13} Share with the Lord’s people who are in need.^(I) Practice hospitality.^(J)

¹⁴ Bless those who persecute you;^(K) bless and do not curse. ¹⁵ Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.^{(L) 16} Live in harmony with one another.^(M) Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.^[a] Do not be conceited.^(N)

¹⁷ Do not repay anyone evil for evil.^(O) Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.^{(P) 18} If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.^{(Q) 19} Do not take revenge,^(R) my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”^[b](S) says the Lord. ²⁰ On the contrary:

²¹ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

¹⁵ So I will very gladly spend for you everything I have and expend myself as well.^(A) If I love you more,^(B) will you love me less?

²² Now that you have purified^(A) yourselves by obeying^(B) the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply,^(C) from the heart.^[a]

⁵ For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge;^{(A) 6} and to knowledge, self-control;^(B) and to self-control, perseverance;^(C) and to perseverance, godliness;^{(D) 7} and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love.^{(E) 8} For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive^(F) in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.^(G)