Though I spake with the tunges of men and angels, and yet had not loue, I were euen as sowndinge brasse, or as a tynklinge Cymball.

And though I coulde prophecy, & vnderstode all secretes, and all knowlege, and had all faith, so that I coulde moue moutaynes out of their places, and yet had not loue, I were nothinge.

And though I bestowed all my goodes to fede ye poore, and though I gaue my body euen that I burned, and yet haue not loue, it profiteth me nothinge.

Loue is pacient & curteous, loue envyeth not, loue doth not frowardly, is not puft vp, dealeth not dishonestly,

seketh not hir awne, is not prouoked vnto anger, thynketh not euell,

reioyseth not ouer iniquyte, but reioyseth in the trueth,

beareth all thinges, beleueth all thinges, hopeth all thinges, suffreth all thinges.

Though prophecienges fayle, or tunges ceasse, or knowlege perishe, yet loue falleth neuer awaye.

For oure knowlege is vnparfecte, and oure prophecienge is vnparfecte.

But wha that which is perfecte, commeth, then shal the vnparfecte be done awaye.

Whan I was a childe, I spake as a childe, I vnderstode as a childe, I ymagined as a childe. But as soone as I was a man, I put awaye childishnes.

Now we se thorow a glasse in a darke speakynge, but the shal we se face to face. Now I knowe vnperfectly: but the shal I knowe eue as I am knowne.

Now abydeth faith, hope, loue, these thre: but the greatest of these is loue.