1 Corinthians 13 in plain modern English. New Ground English Translation.

If I could speak every human language and even the languages of heavenly beings, but I don't have love — I'm just noise. A clanging cymbal. Nothing more.

If I could speak what God has revealed, and if I understood every mystery and had all knowledge, and if I had enough trust in God to move mountains — but didn't have love — I'd be nothing.

If I gave away everything I own to feed the hungry, and if I handed over my own body to be burned — but didn't have love — I'd gain nothing from it.

Love is patient. Love is kind. It doesn't burn with envy. It doesn't brag or puff itself up.

It doesn't act disgracefully. It doesn't insist on its own way. It doesn't get easily angered. It doesn't keep a record of wrongs.

It takes no pleasure in injustice, but celebrates whenever truth wins.

It bears all things, trusts through all things, hopes through all things, endures through all things.

Love never fails. But if there are messages from God — they'll be set aside. If there are languages — they'll stop. If there is knowledge — it'll be set aside.

Because right now we only know in part, and we only receive God's messages in part.

But when what is complete arrives, what is partial will be set aside.

When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I grew up, I put childish ways behind me.

Right now we see a blurred reflection in a mirror, but then — face to face. Right now I know in part, but then I will know fully, just as I am fully known.

So now these three remain: trust, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.