1 Corinthians 13:1-8

(1) If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don't love, I'm nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate.

(2) If I speak God's Word with power, revealing all his mysteries and making everything plain as day, and if I have faith that says to a mountain, "Jump," and it jumps, but I don't love, I'm nothing.

(3) If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don't love, I've gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I'm bankrupt without love.

(4) Love never gives up. Love cares more for others than for self. Love doesn't want what it doesn't have. Love doesn't strut, Doesn't have a swelled head,

(5) Doesn't force itself on others, Isn't always "me first," Doesn't fly off the handle, Doesn't keep score of the sins of others,

(6) Doesn't revel when others grovel, Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,

(7) Puts up with anything, Trusts God always, Always looks for the best, Never looks back, But keeps going to the end.

(8) Love never dies. Inspired speech will be over some day; praying in tongues will end; understanding will reach its limit.

THE MESSAGE