1 I f I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love (that reasoning, intentional, spiritual devotion such as is inspired by God’s love for and in us), I am only a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.

Ако говоря с човешки и ангелски езици, а любов нямам, аз съм станал мед що звънти, или кимвал що дрънка.

2 A nd if I have prophetic powers ( the gift of interpreting the divine will and purpose), and understand all the secret truths and mysteries and possess all knowledge, and if I have faith so that I can remove mountains, but have not love (God’s love in me) I am nothing (a useless nobody).

И ако имам пророческа дарба, и зная всички тайни и всяко знание, и ако имам пълна вяра, тъй щото планини да премествам, а любов нямам, нищо не съм.

3 E ven if I dole out all that I have food, and if I surrender my body to be burned or in order that I may glory, but have not love (God’s love in me), I gain nothing.

И ако раздам всичкия си имот за прехрана на сиромасите, и ако предам тялото си на изгаряне, а любов нямам, никак не ме ползува.

4 L ove endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily.

Любовта дъблго търпи и е милостива; любовта не завижда; любовта не се превъзнася, не се гордее,

5 I t is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God’s love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it.

не безобразничи, не търси своето, не се раздразнява, не държи сметка за зло,

6 I t does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail.

не се радва на неправдата, а се радва заедно с истината,

7 L ove bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything.

всичко премълчава, на всичко хваща вяра, на всичко се надява, всичко търпи.

8 L ove never fails. As for prophecy ( the gift of interpreting the divine will and purpose), it will be fulfilled and pass away; as for tongues, they will be destroyed and cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away.

Любовта никога не отпада; другите дарби, обаче, пророчества ли са, ще се прекратят; езици ли са, ще престанат; знание ли е, ще се прекрати.

9 F or our knowledge is fragmentary (incomplete and imperfect), and our prophecy (our teaching) is fragmentary (incomplete and imperfect).

Защото отчасти знаем и отчасти проракуваме;

10 B ut when the complete and perfect (total) comes, the incomplete and imperfect will vanish away (become antiquated, void, and superseded).

но когато дойде съвършеното, това, което е частично, ще се прекрати.

11 W hen I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; now that I have become a man, I am done with childish ways and have put them aside.

Когато бях дете, като дете говорех, като дете чувствувах, като дете разсъждавах; откак станах мъж, напуснал съм детинското.

12 F or now we are looking in a mirror that gives only a dim (blurred) reflection '> in a riddle or enigma], but then we shall see in reality and face to face! Now I know in part (imperfectly), but then I shall know and understand fully and clearly, even in the same manner as I have been fully and clearly known and understood '> by God].

Защото сега виждаме нещата неясно, като в огледало, а тогава ще ги видим лице с лице; сега познавам отчасти, а тогава ще познавам напълно, както и съм бил напълно познат.

13 A nd so faith, hope, love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

И тъй, остават тия трите: вяра, надежда и любов; но най-голяма от тях е любовта.