If I speak in the
languages of men and of angels, but do not express love by my words, and actions,
I am little more than a resounding gong or a clanking cymbal. If I have been
given the gift of foretelling the future, and comprehend all mysteries and have
access to all knowledge, and if I possess the kind of faith which can move
mountains from one location to another, but am bereft of love, I am absolutely
nothing. If I give all my possessions to the poor and sacrifice my living body
to the fire, but have no love, it benefits no one.
Love is always patient,
love is always kind, it does not envy its friends or enemies, it does not boast
about its wealth or abilities; it is not proud. It does not disrespect
others. It is does not make itself the first priority. It does not yield itself
to anger. It does not keep a record of wrongs perpetrated against it. Love does
not take great delight in evil, but always rejoices in the truth. It
always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres.
Love has no
wherewithal to fail. But where there are prophecies, they will fail, where there
are tongues, they will no longer be heard. Where there is knowledge, it will
pass from the earth. For we only know a little, and we only
prophesy a little, but when that which is complete and comprehensive appears the
“little” will be cast aside.
When I was a
child, I spoke as a child speaks, I thought like a child thinks, and I reasoned
like a child reasons. However, when I became a man, I packed my childish things
away. For now, we see a reflection, as if we were gazing into a mirror. But
then, but then we will look into His marvelous face. Now I know only a little. However,
then my knowledge will be perfected. Then, I will know, as others know me.
And
now, three things remain to us. Faith, hope and love.
But
the greatest of these is love.
Excerpt from the McDonald Paraphrase of the New Testament. Copyright 2018
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