Chapter 13

That above all other Gifts they should seek after Charity: as that without which nothing profiteth, ℣.4 and which doth all as is to be done, and remaineth also in Heaven.

1. 1

   If I speak with the tongues of men, and of Angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

2. 2

   And if I should have prophecy, and knew all mysteries, and all knowledge, & if I should have all faith so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

3. 3

   And if I should distribute all my goods to be meat for the poor, and if I should deliver my body so that I burn, and have not charity, it doth profit me nothing.

4. 4

   Charity is patient, is benign: Charity envieth not, dealeth not perversely: is not puffed up,

5. 5

   is not ambitious, seeketh not her own, is not provoked to anger, thinketh not evil,

6. 6

   rejoiceth not upon iniquity, but rejoiceth with the truth:

7. 7

   suffereth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, beareth all things.

8. 8

   Charity never falleth away: whether prophecies shall be made void, or tongues shall cease, or knowledge shall be destroyed.

9. 9

   For in part we know, & in part we prophesy.

10. 10

    But when that shall come that is perfect, that shall be made void that is in part.

11. 11

    When I was a little one, I spake as a little one, I understood as a little one, I thought as a little one. But when I was made a man, I did away the things that belonged to a little one.

12. 12

    We see now by a glass in a dark sort: but then face to face. Now I know in part: but then I shall know as also I am known.

13. 13

    And now there remain, faith, hope, charity, these three: but the greater of these is charity.