1 Corinthians 13, KJV

The Priority of Love

1. Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not love, I am become as sounding brass, or a clanging cymbal.

2. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not love, I am nothing.

3. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor and though I give my body to be burned, and have not love, it profits me nothing.

The Qualities of Love

4. Love suffers long, and is kind; seeks not her own, is not easily provoked, is not puffed up,

5. Does not behave itself rudely, seeks not her own, is not easily provoked, keeps no record of evil;

6. Rejoices not in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;

7. Bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

The Permanence of Love

8. Love never fails: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

9. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.

10. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

11. When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

12. For now we see in a mirror dimly; but then face to face: now I know in part but then shall I know even as also I am known.

13. And now abides faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

1 Corinthians 13, George Wade

The Priority of Love

1. I may speak smoothly with charisma, but if I do not love I am nothing more than as one who scratches the chalkboard with my fingernails.

2. If I have mastered the scriptures and prophecies correctly and even demonstrate such faith in Jesus that I could remove mountains, and do not show love, then I am considered by God as nothing, eternally lost.

3. If I should give away millions of dollars to the poor or if I should die a martyr and do not love others, I will burn as a log in the fires of hell.

The Qualities of Love

4. Love is naively showing kindness when others take advantage of me, love is satisfaction with what God gives me, humble and quiet.

5. With love I do not react in anger or rudeness, I do not seek solely what would advantage me, and when in love I forgive I also completely forget or at least live as if I could forget.

6. Love does not accept money, advancement, or lustful satisfaction as reward. Love rejoices when others gain spiritual victories or even professional advancement when they have earned it.

7. Love bears unfair treatment to oneself, believes or seeks to believe the best from others' actions and remains steadfast when our faith in others is disappointed.

The Permanence of Love

8. Love never fails! Even prophecies might seem to fail. Sometimes we may be speechless, not knowing what to say. We may have no advice sometimes for others who come to us seeking advice or biblical truth.

9. For we in actuality know very little about God, or even ourselves and other persons around us.

10. But when Jesus comes again, then all possibilities will open up to us!

11. When I was a child I whined and cried, thinking the world revolved [or should revolve] around me. But when I grew up I realized it takes a community and that Jesus should be the center of every community.

12. As an adult I realize I cannot know everything, I cannot do everything, so I must select wisely. But one day I will talk face to face with Jesus and have eternity to love and learn as Jesus loves and do all things my purified heart yearns for.

13. For now, I know the pillars of this life and of the future life depend on at least

• a thread of faith in Jesus and and on even those around me who at least sometimes come through for us all,
• hope in the provider of life and pleasure
• and love for God and all of those He loves.