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.