31 But (A)earnestly desire the greater gifts.

And yet, I am going to show you a far better way.

The Excellence of Love

13 If I speak with the (B)tongues of mankind and of (C)angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a (D)clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of (E)prophecy and know all (F)mysteries and all (G)knowledge, and if I have (H)all faith so as to (I)remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. And if I (J)give away all my possessions to charity, and if I (K)surrender my body so that I may [a]glory, but do not have love, it does me no good.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 13:3 I.e., in martyrdom

31 Now eagerly desire(A) the greater gifts.

Love Is Indispensable

And yet I will show you the most excellent way.

13 If I speak in the tongues[a](B) of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy(C) and can fathom all mysteries(D) and all knowledge,(E) and if I have a faith(F) that can move mountains,(G) but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor(H) and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,[b](I) but do not have love, I gain nothing.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 13:1 Or languages
  2. 1 Corinthians 13:3 Some manuscripts body to the flames