Book of Common Prayer
13 If I speak in human languages, or even in those of angels, but do not have love,
then I’ve become a clanging gong or else
a clashing cymbal. 2 And if I should have
prophetic gifts, and know all mysteries,
all knowledge, too; have faith, to move the mountains,
but have no love—I’m nothing. 3 If I give
all my possessions to the poor, and, for pride’s sake,
my very body, but do not have love,
it’s useless to me.
4 Love’s great-hearted; love is kind,
knows no jealousy, makes no fuss,
is not puffed up, 5 no shameless ways,
doesn’t force its rightful claim,
doesn’t rage or bear a grudge,
6 doesn’t cheer at others’ harm,
rejoices, rather, in the truth.
7 Love bears all things, believes all things,
love hopes all things, endures all things.
Love: the bridge to God’s future
8 Love never fails. But prophecies will be
abolished; tongues will stop; and knowledge, too,
be done away. 9 We know, you see, in part;
we prophesy in part; 10 but, with perfection,
the partial is abolished. 11 As a child
I spoke, and thought, and reasoned like a child;
when I grew up, I threw off childish ways.
12 For at the moment all that we can see
are puzzling reflections in a mirror;
then, face to face. I know in part, for now;
but then I’ll know completely, through and through,
even as I’m completely known. 13 So, now,
faith, hope, and love remain, these three; and, of them,
love is the greatest.
5 Jesus sent these Twelve off with the following instructions.
“Don’t go into Gentile territory,” he said, “and don’t go into a Samaritan town. 6 Go instead to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7 As you go, declare publicly that the kingdom of heaven has arrived. 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse people with skin diseases, cast out demons.
“You received without cost; give without charge. 9 Don’t take any gold or silver or copper in your belts; 10 no bag for the road, no second cloak, no sandals, no stick. Workers deserve their keep.
11 “When you go into a town or village, make careful inquiry for someone who is good and trustworthy, and stay there until you leave. 12 When you go into the house give a solemn greeting. 13 If the house is trustworthy, let your blessing of peace rest upon it, but if not, let it return to you. 14 If anyone won’t welcome you or listen to your message, go out of the house or the town and shake the dust off your feet. 15 I’m telling you the truth: it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.”
Scripture quotations from The New Testament for Everyone are copyright © Nicholas Thomas Wright 2011, 2018, 2019.