1. I may be able to speak the language of men and even of angels, but if I have no love, my speech is no more than a noisy gong or a clanging bell.

2. I may have the gift of inspired preaching; I may have knowledge and understanding all secrets; I may have all the faith needed to move mountains - but if I have no love, I am nothing.

3. I may give away everything I have, even give my body up for to be burnt - but if I have no love, then this is no good.

4. Love is patient and kind; it is not jealous or conceited or proud.

5. Love is not ill-mannered or selfish or irritable; love does not keep a record of wrongs.

 6. Love is not happy with evil, but is happy with the truth.

7. Love never gives up; and its faith, hope and patience never fail.

8. Love is eternal. There are inspired messages, but they are temporary; there are gifts of speaking in strange tongues, but they will cease; there is knowledge, but it will pass.

 9. For our gifts of knowledge and of inspired messages are only partial;

10. But when what is perfect comes, then what is partial will disappear.

11. When I was a child, my speech, feelings, and thinking were those of a child; now that I am a man, I have no more use for childish ways.

12. What we see now is like a dim image in a mirror ; then we shall see face to face. What I know now is only partial; then it will be complete - as complete as God’s knowledge of me.

13. Meantime these three remain: faith, hope and love; and the greatest of these is love