Hear my prayer, O Lord, give ear to my supplications: in thy faithfulness answer me, and in thy righteousness.
² And enter not into judgment with thy servant: for in thy sight shall no man living be justified.
³ For the enemy hath persecuted my soul; he hath smitten my life down to the ground; he hath made me to dwell in darkness, as those that have been long dead.
⁴ Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me; my heart within me is desolate.
⁵ I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands.
⁶ I stretch forth my hands unto thee: my soul thirsteth after thee, as a thirsty land. Selah.
⁷ Hear me speedily, O Lord: my spirit faileth: hide not thy face from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit.
⁸ Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee.
⁹ Deliver me, O Lord, from mine enemies: I flee unto thee to hide me.
¹⁰ Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.
¹¹ Quicken me, O Lord, for thy name’s sake: for thy righteousness’ sake bring my soul out of trouble.
¹² And of thy mercy cut off mine enemies, and destroy all them that afflict my soul: for I am thy servant.

Psalm 143, KJV

Hear my prayer, O Lord,
Give ear to my supplications!
In Your faithfulness answer me,
And in Your righteousness.
² Do not enter into judgment with Your servant,
For in Your sight no one living is righteous.
³ For the enemy has persecuted my soul;
He has crushed my life to the ground;
He has made me dwell in darkness,
Like those who have long been dead.
⁴ Therefore my spirit is overwhelmed within me;
My heart within me is distressed.
⁵ I remember the days of old;
I meditate on all Your works;
I muse on the work of Your hands.
⁶ I spread out my hands to You;
My soul longs for You like a thirsty land. Selah
⁷ Answer me speedily, O Lord;
My spirit fails!
Do not hide Your face from me,
Lest I be like those who go down into the pit.
⁸ Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning,
For in You do I trust;
Cause me to know the way in which I should walk,
For I lift up my soul to You.
⁹ Deliver me, O Lord, from my enemies;
In You I take shelter.
¹⁰ Teach me to do Your will,
For You are my God;
Your Spirit is good.
Lead me in the land of uprightness.
¹¹ Revive me, O Lord, for Your name’s sake!
For Your righteousness’ sake bring my soul out of trouble.
¹² In Your mercy cut off my enemies,
And destroy all those who afflict my soul;
For I am Your servant.

Psalm 143, NKJV

¹ Lord, hear my prayer,
    listen to my cry for mercy;
in your faithfulness and righteousness
    come to my relief.
² Do not bring your servant into judgment,
    for no one living is righteous before you.
³ The enemy pursues me,
    he crushes me to the ground;
he makes me dwell in the darkness
    like those long dead.
⁴ So my spirit grows faint within me;
    my heart within me is dismayed.
⁵ I remember the days of long ago;
    I meditate on all your works
    and consider what your hands have done.
⁶ I spread out my hands to you;
    I thirst for you like a parched land.^[a]
7 Answer me quickly, Lord;
    my spirit fails.
Do not hide your face from me
    or I will be like those who go down to the pit.
⁸ Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,
    for I have put my trust in you.
Show me the way I should go,
    for to you I entrust my life.
⁹ Rescue me from my enemies, Lord,
    for I hide myself in you.
¹⁰ Teach me to do your will,
    for you are my God;
may your good Spirit
    lead me on level ground.
¹¹ For your name’s sake, Lord, preserve my life;
    in your righteousness, bring me out of trouble.
¹² In your unfailing love, silence my enemies;
    destroy all my foes,
    for I am your servant.

Psalm 143, NIV

¹ Hear my prayer, O Lord;
    listen to my plea!
    Answer me because you are faithful and righteous.
² Don’t put your servant on trial,
    for no one is innocent before you.
³ My enemy has chased me.
    He has knocked me to the ground
    and forces me to live in darkness like those in the grave.
⁴ I am losing all hope;
    I am paralyzed with fear.
⁵ I remember the days of old.
    I ponder all your great works
    and think about what you have done.
⁶ I lift my hands to you in prayer.
    I thirst for you as parched land thirsts for rain. Interlude
⁷ Come quickly, Lord, and answer me,
    for my depression deepens.
Don’t turn away from me,
    or I will die.
⁸ Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning,
    for I am trusting you.
Show me where to walk,
    for I give myself to you.
⁹ Rescue me from my enemies, Lord;
    I run to you to hide me.
¹⁰ Teach me to do your will,
    for you are my God.
May your gracious Spirit lead me forward
    on a firm footing.
¹¹ For the glory of your name, O Lord, preserve my life.
    Because of your faithfulness, bring me out of this distress.
¹² In your unfailing love, silence all my enemies
    and destroy all my foes,
    for I am your servant.

Psalm 143, NLT

¹ Hear my prayer, O Lord,
    give ear to my supplications;
in Your faithfulness answer me,
    and in Your righteousness.
² Enter not into judgment with Your servant,
    for in Your sight no one living is righteous.
³ For the enemy has persecuted my soul;
    he has crushed my life down to the ground;
he has made me to dwell in darkness,
    as those who have been long dead.
⁴ Therefore my spirit is overwhelmed within me;
    my heart within me is desolate.
⁵ I remember the days of old;
    I meditate on all Your works;
    I consider the work of Your hands.
⁶ I stretch forth my hands unto You;
    my soul thirsts after You as a thirsty land. Selah
⁷ Respond to me quickly, O Lord,
    my spirit fails;
do not hide Your face from me,
    lest I be like those who go down into the pit.
⁸ Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning;
    for in You I have my trust;
cause me to know the way I should walk,
    for I lift up my soul unto You.
⁹ Deliver me, O Lord, from my enemies;
    I flee unto You for my protection.
¹⁰ Teach me to do Your will,
    for You are my God;
may Your good spirit
    lead me onto level ground.
¹¹ Revive me, O Lord, for Your name’s sake,
    for Your righteousness’ sake bring my soul out of trouble.
¹² In Your mercy cut off my enemies,
    and destroy all them who afflict my soul,
    for I am Your servant.

Psalm 143, MEV

My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:
² For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.
³ Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:
⁴ So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.
⁵ Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
⁶ In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
⁷ Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil.
⁸ It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.
⁹ Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:
¹⁰ So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.
¹¹ My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary of his correction:
¹² For whom the Lord loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.

Proverbs 3:1-12, KJV

My son, do not forget my law,
But let your heart keep my commands;
² For length of days and long life
And peace they will add to you.
³ Let not mercy and truth forsake you;
Bind them around your neck,
Write them on the tablet of your heart,
⁴ And so find favor and ^[a]high esteem
In the sight of God and man.
⁵ Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
⁶ In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall ^[b]direct your paths.
⁷ Do not be wise in your own eyes;
Fear the Lord and depart from evil.
⁸ It will be health to your ^[c]flesh,
And strength^[d] to your bones.
⁹ Honor the Lord with your possessions,
And with the firstfruits of all your increase;
¹⁰ So your barns will be filled with plenty,
And your vats will overflow with new wine.
¹¹ My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord,
Nor detest His correction;
¹² For whom the Lord loves He corrects,
Just as a father the son in whom he delights.

Proverbs 3:1-12, NKJV

My son, do not forget my teaching,
    but keep my commands in your heart,
² for they will prolong your life many years
    and bring you peace and prosperity.
³ Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
    bind them around your neck,
    write them on the tablet of your heart.
⁴ Then you will win favor and a good name
    in the sight of God and man.
⁵ Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding;
⁶ in all your ways submit to him,
    and he will make your paths straight.
⁷ Do not be wise in your own eyes;
    fear the Lord and shun evil.
⁸ This will bring health to your body
    and nourishment to your bones.
⁹ Honor the Lord with your wealth,
    with the firstfruits of all your crops;
¹⁰ then your barns will be filled to overflowing,
    and your vats will brim over with new wine.
¹¹ My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline,
    and do not resent his rebuke,
¹² because the Lord disciplines those he loves,
    as a father the son he delights in.

Proverbs 3:1-12, NIV

My child, never forget the things I have taught you.
    Store my commands in your heart.
² If you do this, you will live many years,
    and your life will be satisfying.
³ Never let loyalty and kindness leave you!
    Tie them around your neck as a reminder.
    Write them deep within your heart.
⁴ Then you will find favor with both God and people,
    and you will earn a good reputation.
⁵ Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
    do not depend on your own understanding.
⁶ Seek his will in all you do,
    and he will show you which path to take.
⁷ Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom.
    Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil.
⁸ Then you will have healing for your body
    and strength for your bones.
⁹ Honor the Lord with your wealth
    and with the best part of everything you produce.
¹⁰ Then he will fill your barns with grain,
    and your vats will overflow with good wine.
¹¹ My child, don’t reject the Lord’s discipline,
    and don’t be upset when he corrects you.
¹² For the Lord corrects those he loves,
    just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights.

Proverbs 3:1-12 , NLT

My son, do not forget my teaching,
    but let your heart keep my commandments;
² for length of days and long life
    and peace will they add to you.
³ Do not let mercy and truth forsake you;
    bind them around your neck,
    write them on the tablet of your heart,
⁴ so you will find favor and good understanding
    in the sight of God and man.
⁵ Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
    and lean not on your own understanding;
⁶ in all your ways acknowledge Him,
    and He will direct your paths.
⁷ Do not be wise in your own eyes;
    fear the Lord and depart from evil.
⁸ It will be health to your body,
    and strength to your bones.
⁹ Honor the Lord with your substance,
    and with the first fruits of all your increase;
¹⁰ so your barns will be filled with plenty,
    and your presses will burst out with new wine.
¹¹ My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord,
    nor be weary of His correction;
¹² for whom the Lord loves He corrects,
    even as a father the son in whom he delights.

Proverbs 3:1-12, MEV

I love the Lord, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications.
² Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live.
³ The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow.
⁴ Then called I upon the name of the Lord; O Lord, I beseech thee, deliver my soul.
⁵ Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; yea, our God is merciful.
⁶ The Lord preserveth the simple: I was brought low, and he helped me.
⁷ Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee.
⁸ For thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling.
⁹ I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living.
¹⁰ I believed, therefore have I spoken: I was greatly afflicted:
¹¹ I said in my haste, All men are liars.
¹² What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits toward me?
¹³ I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord.
¹⁴ I will pay my vows unto the Lord now in the presence of all his people.
¹⁵ Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.
¹⁶ O Lord, truly I am thy servant; I am thy servant, and the son of thine handmaid: thou hast loosed my bonds.
¹⁷ I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the Lord.
¹⁸ I will pay my vows unto the Lord now in the presence of all his people.
¹⁹ In the courts of the Lord’s house, in the midst of thee, O Jerusalem. Praise ye the Lord.

Psalm 116, KJV

I love the Lord, because He has heard
My voice and my supplications.
² Because He has inclined His ear to me,
Therefore I will call upon Him as long as I live.
³ The pains of death surrounded me,
And the pangs of Sheol laid hold of me;
I found trouble and sorrow.
⁴ Then I called upon the name of the Lord:
“O Lord, I implore You, deliver my soul!”
⁵ Gracious is the Lord, and righteous;
Yes, our God is merciful.
⁶ The Lord preserves the simple;
I was brought low, and He saved me.
⁷ Return to your rest, O my soul,
For the Lord has dealt bountifully with you.
⁸ For You have delivered my soul from death,
My eyes from tears,
And my feet from falling.
⁹ I will walk before the Lord
In the land of the living.
¹⁰ I believed, therefore I spoke,
“I am greatly afflicted.”
¹¹ I said in my haste,
“All men are liars.”
¹² What shall I render to the Lord
For all His benefits toward me?
¹³ I will take up the cup of salvation,
And call upon the name of the Lord.
¹⁴ I will pay my vows to the Lord
Now in the presence of all His people.
¹⁵ Precious in the sight of the Lord
Is the death of His saints.
¹⁶ O Lord, truly I am Your servant;
I am Your servant, the son of Your maidservant;
You have loosed my bonds.
¹⁷ I will offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving,
And will call upon the name of the Lord.
¹⁸ I will pay my vows to the Lord
Now in the presence of all His people,
¹⁹ In the courts of the Lord’s house,
In the midst of you, O Jerusalem.
Praise the Lord!

Psalm 116, NKJV

¹ I love the Lord, for he heard my voice;
    he heard my cry for mercy.
² Because he turned his ear to me,
    I will call on him as long as I live.
³ The cords of death entangled me,
    the anguish of the grave came over me;
    I was overcome by distress and sorrow.
⁴ Then I called on the name of the Lord:
    “Lord, save me!”
⁵ The Lord is gracious and righteous;
    our God is full of compassion.
⁶ The Lord protects the unwary;
    when I was brought low, he saved me.
⁷ Return to your rest, my soul,
    for the Lord has been good to you.
⁸ For you, Lord, have delivered me from death,
    my eyes from tears,
    my feet from stumbling,
⁹ that I may walk before the Lord
    in the land of the living.
¹⁰ I trusted in the Lord when I said,
    “I am greatly afflicted”;
¹¹ in my alarm I said,
    “Everyone is a liar.”
¹² What shall I return to the Lord
    for all his goodness to me?
¹³ I will lift up the cup of salvation
    and call on the name of the Lord.
¹⁴ I will fulfill my vows to the Lord
    in the presence of all his people.
¹⁵ Precious in the sight of the Lord
    is the death of his faithful servants.
¹⁶ Truly I am your servant, Lord;
    I serve you just as my mother did;
    you have freed me from my chains.
¹⁷ I will sacrifice a thank offering to you
    and call on the name of the Lord.
¹⁸ I will fulfill my vows to the Lord
    in the presence of all his people,
¹⁹ in the courts of the house of the Lord—
    in your midst, Jerusalem.
Praise the Lord.

Psalm 116, NIV

¹ I love the Lord because he hears my voice
    and my prayer for mercy.
² Because he bends down to listen,
    I will pray as long as I have breath!
³ Death wrapped its ropes around me;
    the terrors of the grave overtook me.
    I saw only trouble and sorrow.
⁴ Then I called on the name of the Lord:
    “Please, Lord, save me!”
⁵ How kind the Lord is! How good he is!
    So merciful, this God of ours!
⁶ The Lord protects those of childlike faith;
    I was facing death, and he saved me.
⁷ Let my soul be at rest again,
    for the Lord has been good to me.
⁸ He has saved me from death,
    my eyes from tears,
    my feet from stumbling.
⁹ And so I walk in the Lord’s presence
    as I live here on earth!
¹⁰ I believed in you, so I said,
    “I am deeply troubled, Lord.”
¹¹ In my anxiety I cried out to you,
    “These people are all liars!”
¹² What can I offer the Lord
    for all he has done for me?
¹³ I will lift up the cup of salvation
    and praise the Lord’s name for saving me.
¹⁴ I will keep my promises to the Lord
    in the presence of all his people.
¹⁵ The Lord cares deeply
    when his loved ones die.
¹⁶ O Lord, I am your servant;
    yes, I am your servant, born into your household;
    you have freed me from my chains.
¹⁷ I will offer you a sacrifice of thanksgiving
    and call on the name of the Lord.
¹⁸ I will fulfill my vows to the Lord
    in the presence of all his people—
¹⁹ in the house of the Lord
    in the heart of Jerusalem.
Praise the Lord!

Psalm 116, NLT

¹ I love the Lord, because He has heard my voice
    and my supplications.
² Because He has inclined His ear to me,
    therefore I will call upon Him as long as I live.
³ The cords of death encircled me,
    and the pains of Sheol took hold of me;
    I found trouble and sorrow.
⁴ Then called I upon the name of the Lord:
    “O Lord, I plead with You, deliver my soul.”
⁵ Gracious is the Lord, and righteous;
    indeed, our God is merciful.
⁶ The Lord protects the simple;
    I was brought low, and He helped me.
⁷ Return to your rest, O my soul;
    for the Lord has vindicated you.
⁸ For You have delivered my soul from death,
    my eyes from tears,
    and my feet from falling.
⁹ I will walk before the Lord
    in the land of the living.
¹⁰ I believed, indeed I have spoken:
    “I am greatly afflicted.”
¹¹ I said in my haste,
    “All men are liars.”
¹² What shall I render unto the Lord
    for all His benefits toward me?
¹³ I will take the cup of salvation
    and call upon the name of the Lord.
¹⁴ I will pay my vows unto the Lord
    now in the presence of all His people.
¹⁵ Precious in the sight of the Lord
    is the death of His godly ones.
¹⁶ O Lord, I am Your servant;
    I am Your servant, the son of Your female servant;
    You have loosed my bonds.
¹⁷ I will offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving
    and will call upon the name of the Lord.
¹⁸ I will pay my vows unto the Lord
    now in the presence of all His people,
¹⁹ in the courts of the house of the Lord,
    in your midst, O Jerusalem.
Praise the Lord!

Psalm 116, MEV

⁷ Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
⁸ He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
⁹ In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.
¹⁰ Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
¹¹ Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.
¹² No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.
¹³ Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.
¹⁴ And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.
¹⁵ Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.
¹⁶ And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
¹⁷ Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
¹⁸ There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
¹⁹ We love him, because he first loved us.
²⁰ If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?
²¹ And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.

1 John 4:7-21, KJV

Knowing God Through Love
⁷ Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. ⁸ He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. ⁹ In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. ¹⁰ In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. ¹¹ Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

Seeing God Through Love
¹² No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us. ¹³ By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. ¹⁴ And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world. ¹⁵ Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. ¹⁶ And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.

The Consummation of Love
¹⁷ Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. ¹⁸ There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. ¹⁹ We love ^[a]Him because He first loved us.

Obedience by Faith
²⁰ If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, ^[b]how can he love God whom he has not seen? ²¹ And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.

1 John 4:7-21, NKJV

⁷ Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. ⁸ Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. ⁹ This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. ¹⁰ This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. ¹¹ Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. ¹² No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.
¹³ This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit. ¹⁴ And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. ¹⁵ If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. ¹⁶ And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.
God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. ¹⁷ This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. ¹⁸ There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
¹⁹ We love because he first loved us. ²⁰ Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. ²¹ And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.

1 John 4:7-21, NIV

⁷ Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. ⁸ But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love.
⁹ God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. ¹⁰ This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.
¹¹ Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. ¹² No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us.
¹³ And God has given us his Spirit as proof that we live in him and he in us. ¹⁴ Furthermore, we have seen with our own eyes and now testify that the Father sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. ¹⁵ All who declare that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in God. ¹⁶ We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love.
God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. ¹⁷ And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world.
¹⁸ Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love. ¹⁹ We love each other because he loved us first.
²⁰ If someone says, “I love God,” but hates a fellow believer, that person is a liar; for if we don’t love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see? ²¹ And he has given us this command: Those who love God must also love their fellow believers.

1 John 4:7-21, NLT

⁷ Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God, and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. ⁸ Anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love. ⁹ In this way the love of God was revealed to us, that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. ¹⁰ In this is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. ¹¹ Beloved, if God so loved us, we must also love one another. ¹² No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwells in us, and His love is perfected in us.
¹³ We know that we live in Him, and He in us, because He has given us His Spirit. ¹⁴ And we have seen and testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the world. ¹⁵ Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him, and he in God. ¹⁶ And we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us.
God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. ¹⁷ In this way God’s love is perfected in us, so that we may have boldness on the Day of Judgment, because as He is, so are we in this world. ¹⁸ There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. Whoever fears is not perfect in love.
¹⁹ We love Him because He first loved us. ²⁰ If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar. For whoever does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? ²¹ We have this commandment from Him: Whoever loves God must also love his brother.

1 John 4:7-21, MEV

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 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 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 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
⁵ Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
⁶ Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
⁷ Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
⁸ 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 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
¹⁰ But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
¹¹ 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 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 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

1 Corinthians 13, KJV

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. ² 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, but have not love, I am nothing. ³ And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body ^[a]to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.
⁴ Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not ^[b]puffed up; ⁵ does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, ^[c]thinks no evil; ⁶ does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; ⁷ bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
⁸ Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. ⁹ For we know in part and we prophesy in part. ¹⁰ But when that which is ^[d]perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.
¹¹ When I was a child, I spoke 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 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.
¹³ And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

1 Corinthians 13, NKJV

If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. ² If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. ³ If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,^[b] but do not have love, I gain nothing.
⁴ Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵ It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶ Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷ It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
⁸ Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. ⁹ For we know in part and we prophesy in part, ¹⁰ but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. ¹¹ When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. ¹² For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
¹³ And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

1 Corinthians 13, NIV

If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. ² If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing. ³ If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it;^[a] but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing.
⁴ Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud ⁵ or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. ⁶ It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. ⁷ Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.
⁸ Prophecy and speaking in unknown languages^[b] and special knowledge will become useless. But love will last forever! ⁹ Now our knowledge is partial and incomplete, and even the gift of prophecy reveals only part of the whole picture! ¹⁰ But when the time of perfection comes, these partial things will become useless.
¹¹ When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things. ¹² Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity.^[c] All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely.
¹³ Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.

1 Corinthians 13, NLT

If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not love, I have become as sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. ² If I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not love, I am nothing. ³ If I give all my goods to feed the poor, and if I give my body to be burned, and have not love, it profits me nothing.
⁴ Love suffers long and is kind; love envies not; love flaunts not itself and is not puffed up, ⁵ does not behave itself improperly, seeks not its own, is not easily provoked, thinks no evil; ⁶ rejoices not in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; ⁷ bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things.
⁸ Love never fails. But if there are prophecies, they shall fail; if there are tongues, they shall cease; and if there is knowledge, it shall vanish. ⁹ For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. ¹⁰ But when that which is perfect comes, then that which is imperfect shall pass away. ¹¹ When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, and I thought as a child. But when I became a man, I put away childish things. ¹² For now we see as through a glass, dimly, but then, face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know, even as I also am known.
¹³ So now abide faith, hope, and love, these three. But the greatest of these is love.

1 Corinthians 13, MEV