Hymn 122 If I Have Not Charity

Verse 1 Though I speak with tongues of men, though I speak as angels,

If I have not charity I am become as nothing.

I become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal;

With the gift of prophecy, still I am as nothing.

Verse 2 Though I know all mysteries, though I have all knowledge,

If I have not charity I am become as nothing.

Though I give all I possess, let my body burn;

If I have not charity, then I am as nothing.

Verse 3 Charity will suffer long, charity is kind,

Envies not nor vaunts itself, behaveth not unseemly,

Seeketh not to have her way, nor is easily angered;

If I have not charity, then I am as nothing.

Verse 4 Charity rejoiceth not in iniquity,

But rejoiceth in the truth; believes and bears all things;

Hopes all things; endures all things; never thinketh evil.

If I have not charity, then I am as nothing.

Last Verse Whether there be prophecies, whether there be knowledge,

These shall likewise pass away, but charity remaineth.

Faith and hope and charity, all of these abide;

But among the three of these, charity is greatest.