13 Thus,

2 

I may prophesy, fathom all mysteries and secret lore,

I may have such absolute faith that I can move hills from their place,

but if I have no love, I count for nothing;

3 

I may distribute all I possess in charity,

I may give up my body to be burnt,

but if I have no love,

I make nothing of it. 4 Love is very patient, very kind. Love knows no jealousy; love makes no parade, gives itself no airs, 5 is never rude, never selfish, never irritated, never resentful; 6 love is never glad when others go wrong, love is gladdened by goodness, 7 always slow to expose, always eager to believe the best, always hopeful, always patient. 8 Love never disappears. As for prophesying, it will be superseded; as for "tongues," they will cease; as for knowledge, it will be superseded. 9 For we only know bit by bit, and we only prophesy bit by bit; 10 but when the perfect comes, the imperfect will be superseded. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I argued like a child; now that I am a man, I am done with childish ways.

12 

At present we only see the baffling reflections in a mirror,

but then it will be face to face;

at present I am learning bit by bit,

but then I shall understand, as all along I have myself been understood. 13 Thus "faith and hope and love last on, these three," but the greatest of all is love.