1 Corinthians 13; Luke 6:20-31

1 I may be able to speak the languages of human beings and even of angels, but if I have no love, my speech is no more than a noisy gong or a clanging bell.

2 I may have the gift of inspired preaching; I may have all knowledge and understand all secrets; I may have all the faith needed to move mountains - but if I have no love, I am nothing.

3 I may give away everything I have, and even give up my body to be burned - but if I have no love, this does me no good.

4 Love is patient and kind; it is not jealous or conceited or proud;

5 love is not ill-mannered or selfish or irritable; love does not keep a record of wrongs;

6 love is not happy with evil, but is happy with the truth.

7 Love never gives up; and its faith, hope, and patience never fail.

8 Love is eternal. There are inspired messages, but they are temporary; there are gifts of speaking in strange tongues, but they will cease; there is knowledge, but it will pass.

9 For our gifts of knowledge and of inspired messages are only partial;

10 but when what is perfect comes, then what is partial will disappear.

11 When I was a child, my speech, feelings, and thinking were all those of a child; now that I am an adult, I have no more use for childish ways.

12 What we see now is like a dim image in a mirror; then we shall see face-to-face. What I know now is only partial; then it will be complete - as complete as God's knowledge of me.

13 Meanwhile these three remain: faith, hope, and love; and the greatest of these is love.

20 Jesus looked at his disciples and said, "Happy are you poor; the Kingdom of God is yours!

21 "Happy are you who are hungry now; you will be filled! "Happy are you who weep now; you will laugh!

22 "Happy are you when people hate you, reject you, insult you, and say that you are evil, all because of the Son of Man!

23 Be glad when that happens and dance for joy, because a great reward is kept for you in heaven. For their ancestors did the very same things to the prophets.

24 "But how terrible for you who are rich now; you have had your easy life!

25 "How terrible for you who are full now; you will go hungry! "How terrible for you who laugh now; you will mourn and weep!

26 "How terrible when all people speak well of you; their ancestors said the very same things about the false prophets.

27 "But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,

28 bless those who curse you, and pray for those who mistreat you.

29 If anyone hits you on one cheek, let him hit the other one too; if someone takes your coat, let him have your shirt as well.

30 Give to everyone who asks you for something, and when someone takes what is yours, do not ask for it back.

31 Do for others just what you want them to do for you.