First Corinthians 13 is Paul’s defining statement on love - thirteen verses that establish it not as a feeling but as the measure by which every spiritual gift, sacrifice, and act of faith is judged.

Lyrics

If I speak with the languages of men and of angels But don’t have love I have become sounding brass Or a clanging cymbal

If I have the gift of prophecy And know all mysteries and all knowledge And if I have all faith So as to remove mountains But don’t have love, I am nothing

Love is patient And is kind Love doesn’t envy Love doesn’t brag, is not proud Doesn’t behave itself inappropriately Doesn’t seek its own way Is not provoked Takes no account of evil Doesn’t rejoice in unrighteousness But rejoices with the truth

Bears all things Believes all things Hopes all things Endures all things

Love never fails Love never fails Where there are prophecies, they will be done away with Where there is knowledge, it will be done away with

For we know in part We prophesy in part But when that which is complete has come That which is partial will be done away with When I was a child, I spoke as a child I have put away childish things

For now we see in a mirror, dimly But then face to face Now I know in part But then I will know fully Even as I was also fully known

But now faith, hope, and love remain These three The greatest of these is love Love never fails

Love never fails

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1 Corinthians 13 sung by Psalm Selah. The whole Bible, one chapter at a time.

Published 2026-05-22 · Last updated 2026-06-06
Written by Reid Wender, Editorial Director at Psalmody Press