1 Corinthians 13
1 Supposing we could speak [all] the various languages [MTY] that people [in the world speak] and even speak [the language] that angels [speak]. If we did not love [others, speaking those languages] would be [as useless as beating] a brass gong or clanging cymbals [together].
If I could speak in every tongue of men, and in that of angels, and there should be no love in me, I should be like brass that resoundeth, or the cymbal that maketh a noise.
2 Supposing we had the ability to speak messages that come directly from God, and we could understand the plans that he has not yet revealed [to others], and we could know everything [about everything], and we believed in God so strongly that we could [do impossible things like] causing mountains to move. If we did not love [others, God would consider all that] to be worthless.
And if there should be in me the gift of prophecy, and I should understand all the mysteries, and every science; and if there should be in me all faith, so that I could move mountains, and love should not be in me, I should be nothing.
3 And supposing we would give everything that we own to poor people, and would let others kill us in order that we could boast about [sacrificing our] own bodies. If we did not love [others], we would not get any reward [from God].
And if I should feed out to the destitute all I possess; and if I should give my body to be burned; and there should be no love in me, I gain nothing.
4 Those who [PRS] truly love [others] act patiently and kindly toward them. Those who [PRS] truly love [others] are not jealous of them, they do not boast [about what they themselves have done], and are not proud.
Love is long-suffering, and is kind; love is not envious; love is not boisterous; and is not inflated;
5 Those who [PRS] truly love [others] do not act in disgraceful/disrespectful ways towards them. They do not (act selfishly/think only of themselves and what they want). They do not quickly become angry. They do not keep remembering the bad things [that others have done to them].
and doth nothing that causeth shame; and seeketh not her own; is not passionate; and thinketh no evil;
6 Those who [PRS] truly love [others] do not rejoice when [people do] evil things, but they do rejoice when [people act] righteously.
rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
7 Those who truly love [others] patiently put up [the faults of others]. They do not quickly assume [that others have done something bad]. They confidently expect [that others will act righteously]. They patiently endure [all their own troubles].
beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all, and endureth all.
8 We should never [PRS] let anything stop us from continuing to love [others]. As for the ability to speak messages that come directly from God, some day that will come to an end. As for the ability to speak languages [MTY] [that we have not learned], that will [also] come to an end some day. And as for the ability to know things that God reveals to us, that will come to an end some day [because it will not be necessary any more].
Love will never cease. But prophesyings will end; and tongues will be silent; and knowledge will vanish.
9 God does not reveal everything to us, and we cannot know everything that he knows.
For we know but partially; and we prophesy but partially.
10 But when everything is perfect [after Christ returns], things which are not perfect [now], [such as the abilities which God’s Spirit gives us], will (disappear/come to an end).
But when completeness shall come, then that which is partial will vanish away.
11 When we were children, we talked like children talk, we thought like children think, we reasoned like children reason. But when we grew up, we got rid of our childish ways [MET]. [Similarly], [you need to get rid of your childish thinking about the abilities that the Spirit has given you].
When I was a child, I talked as a child, and I reasoned as a child, and I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I laid aside the things of childhood.
12 In this life we do not understand everything fully. It is like [MET] looking at something indirectly by seeing it in a mirror. But [when we get to heaven] [MTY], we will [understand everything clearly. It will be like] talking to someone face-to-face. Now we know only part [of everything that God wants us to know]. Then we will know everything completely, just like [God] knows us completely.
And now we see, as by a mirror, in similitude; but then face to face: now I know partially; but then shall I know, just as I am known.
13 So now there are three things [that we must] continue [to do]: To trust [in God], to confidently expect [to receive what he will give us], and to love [others]. But the greatest of those three things is loving [others].
For these three things are abiding, faith, and hope, and love; but the greatest of these is love.
