Christian prayer
1 Corinthians 13 (the love chapter)
The love chapter, 1 Corinthians 13, with the original text and its meaning.
- 13 verses
- About 2 minutes to recite
- From the Bible
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- 1
Ἐὰν ταῖς γλώσσαις τῶν ἀνθρώπων λαλῶ καὶ τῶν ἀγγέλων, ἀγάπην δὲ μὴ ἔχω, γέγονα χαλκὸς ἠχῶν ἢ κύμβαλον ἀλαλάζον.
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
- 2
Καὶ ἐὰν ἔχω προφητείαν, καὶ εἰδῶ τὰ μυστήρια πάντα καὶ πᾶσαν τὴν γνῶσιν, καὶ ἐὰν ἔχω πᾶσαν τὴν πίστιν, ὥστε ὄρη μεθιστάνειν, ἀγάπην δὲ μὴ ἔχω, οὐδέν εἰμι.
And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
- 3
Καὶ ἐὰν ψωμίσω πάντα τὰ ὑπάρχοντά μου, καὶ ἐὰν παραδῶ τὸ σῶμά μου ἵνα καυθήσωμαι, ἀγάπην δὲ μὴ ἔχω, οὐδὲν ὠφελοῦμαι.
And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
- 4
Ἡ ἀγάπη μακροθυμεῖ, χρηστεύεται· ἡ ἀγάπη οὐ ζηλοῖ· ἡ ἀγάπη οὐ περπερεύεται, οὐ φυσιοῦται,
Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
- 5
οὐκ ἀσχημονεῖ, οὐ ζητεῖ τὰ ἑαυτῆς, οὐ παροξύνεται, οὐ λογίζεται τὸ κακόν,
Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
- 6
οὐ χαίρει ἐπὶ τῇ ἀδικίᾳ, συγχαίρει δὲ τῇ ἀληθείᾳ,
Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
- 7
πάντα στέγει, πάντα πιστεύει, πάντα ἐλπίζει, πάντα ὑπομένει.
Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
- 8
Ἡ ἀγάπη οὐδέποτε ἐκπίπτει· εἴτε δὲ προφητεῖαι, καταργηθήσονται· εἴτε γλῶσσαι, παύσονται· εἴτε γνῶσις, καταργηθήσεται.
Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
- 9
Ἐκ μέρους γὰρ γινώσκομεν, καὶ ἐκ μέρους προφητεύομεν·
For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
- 10
ὅταν δὲ ἔλθῃ τὸ τέλειον, τότε τὸ ἐκ μέρους καταργηθήσεται.
But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
- 11
Ὅτε ἤμην νήπιος, ὡς νήπιος ἐλάλουν, ὡς νήπιος ἐφρόνουν, ὡς νήπιος ἐλογιζόμην· ὅτε δὲ γέγονα ἀνήρ, κατήργηκα τὰ τοῦ νηπίου.
When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
- 12
Βλέπομεν γὰρ ἄρτι δι᾿ ἐσόπτρου ἐν αἰνίγματι, τότε δὲ πρόσωπον πρὸς πρόσωπον· ἄρτι γινώσκω ἐκ μέρους, τότε δὲ ἐπιγνώσομαι καθὼς καὶ ἐπεγνώσθην.
For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
- 13
Νυνὶ δὲ μένει πίστις, ἐλπίς, ἀγάπη, τὰ τρία ταῦτα· μείζων δὲ τούτων ἡ ἀγάπη.
And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
Wording: The Holy Bible, King James Version, 1611 (standard text of 1769). Copied word for word from the edition named here
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Når den bes
Many Christians read this passage at weddings because of its description of patient, enduring love. It is also read in worship and personal devotion to reflect on how to treat others. In the Christian tradition, its teaching applies to the whole community, not only to married couples.
Hvor den kommer fra
This passage comes from Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians in the New Testament of the Bible. Paul wrote to the Christian community in Corinth, addressing its divisions and questions about life together. The chapter places love at the center of his discussion of spiritual gifts.

Library of Alexandria
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Beslektede bønner og tekster
- ChristianBible verse of the day, Bible verses by topic (love, strength, faith, anxiety)Bible passages for reflection on God's love, trust, strength and hope amid anxiety.
- ChristianGenesis 1, John 1, Romans 8, Isaiah 53, John 3:16 (the best known passages)Familiar Bible passages on creation, Christ, God's love and life in the Spirit.
- ChristianThe Ten CommandmentsBiblical commandments about love for God and responsibility toward others.
- ChristianThe Beatitudes and the Sermon on the MountJesus’ teaching on blessedness, love, prayer and living faithfully.
Spørsmål om 1 Corinthians 13 (the love chapter)
How many verses are in the love chapter?
1 Corinthians 13 has 13 verses.
What does the love chapter mean?
It describes love as patient, kind, and free from pride or self-seeking. Paul teaches that spiritual gifts and impressive actions have no value without love.
Is this passage only about marriage?
No. Although many Christians choose it for weddings, Paul originally addressed the life of the whole Christian community.
Who wrote it, and in what language?
Paul wrote First Corinthians in Greek to the Christian community in Corinth.
How long does it take to recite?
It takes about 2 minutes to recite, depending on your pace and pauses.


















