KJV ORIGINAL
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.
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE
Love never fails. Prophecies will end, speaking in tongues will stop, and even our knowledge will become outdated, but love? Love stays.
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE
Everything else has an expiration date, but love is forever.
📚 Historical Context
In the first century, the Corinthian church was dealing with internal divisions and an overemphasis on flashy spiritual gifts like prophecy and speaking in tongues, which were causing pride and disorder. Paul wrote this letter to redirect their focus toward the essential nature of love, explaining that these gifts were temporary and would eventually fade away. He contrasted this with love, which remains eternal and unchanging in God's design.
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