1 Corinthians 13

1 If I speak [with eloquence, in human languages] in the tongues [languages, dialects] of men [human beings, people] and of angels [messengers, heavenly beings], but have not [do not possess, lack] love [unconditional affection, charity], I am only [become, am reduced to] a ringing [sounding, echoing] gong [brass, metal instrument] or [like] a clanging [tinkling, loud] cymbal [musical instrument]. word study 2 If I have the gift of [prophetic utterance, speaking on God’s behalf] prophecy and can [fully understand, discern] fathom all [hidden, divine] mysteries and all [spiritual, divine] knowledge, and if I have absolute [unwavering] faith so as to [supernaturally, miraculously] move mountains, but have not [unconditional, selfless] love, I am [completely, utterly] nothing. word study 3 If I give [donate, bestow] all I possess [my goods, everything I own] to the poor [those in need, the destitute] and exult [rejoice, take pride] in the surrender [giving up, yielding] of my body [physical person, flesh], but have not [lack, am devoid of] love [agape, unconditional affection], I gain [profit, benefit] nothing [no reward, none]. word study 4 Love [unconditional, divine affection] is patient [long-suffering, forbearing], love [agape, selfless devotion] is kind [benevolent, gracious]. It does not [absolutely not, under no circumstances] envy [feel jealous or resentful], it does not [never, at no time] boast [brag or talk proudly], it is not [free from, without] proud [puffed up, arrogant]. word study 5 It is not [completely] rude [or unbecomingly behaved], it is not [excessively] self-seeking [or insisting on its own way], it is not easily angered [or provoked to anger], it keeps [does not reckon or take into account] no [absolutely none] account of wrongs [or evil done]. word study 6 Love [having God’s nature, true affection] takes no pleasure [does not delight or rejoice] in evil [unrighteousness, wickedness], but rejoices [celebrates with joy] in the truth [reality, sincerity]. word study 7 It bears [patiently endures, tolerates] all things [every situation, every person], believes [trusts, has faith in] all things [every word, every promise], hopes [confidently expects, looks forward to] all things [every good outcome, every blessing], endures [remains, perseveres through] all things [every trial, every hardship]. word study 8 Love [unconditional, divine affection] never fails [will not come to an end, is eternal]. But where there are prophecies [gifts of interpreting God’s will], they will cease [be done away with, become useless]; where there are tongues [languages, spiritual gifts of speech], they will be restrained [become silent, cease]; where there is knowledge [understanding of spiritual truth], it will be dismissed [made useless, vanish away]. word study 9 For we know [have partial understanding, are aware] in part [a portion, a fragment] and we prophesy [speak under divine inspiration, declare God’s message] in part [in a limited way, imperfectly], word study 10 but when [at that future time] the perfect [complete, mature] comes, the partial [in part, incomplete] passes away [is done away with, becomes useless]. word study 11 When I was a child [a young and immature one], I talked [spoke, uttered words] like a child [as an immature one], I thought [reasoned, understood] like a child [with a child’s mind], I reasoned [thought, reflected] like a child [with a youthful perspective]. When I became a man [an adult male], I set aside [made useless, abandoned] childish [immature] ways [behaviors, habits]. word study 12 Now we see [through a glass darkly, in a mirror obscurely] but a dim reflection [a faint image, an enigma] as in a mirror [a reflective surface]; then we shall see [clearly and fully] face to face [in the presence of]. Now I know [partially] in part [a portion of the whole]; then I shall know [completely, as I am known] fully, even as I am [deeply, intimately] fully known [by God, in His perfect understanding]. word study 13 And now [at this present time] these three remain: faith [trust and confidence in God], hope [expectation of God’s goodness], and love [unconditional affection]; but the greatest [most supreme] of these is love [agape, selfless devotion]. word study