Bible In Poetry: 1 Corinthians 13 Poem by Dr John Celes

To you, if I speak without love,
In tongues of men, angels above,
I’ll be a gong just, resounding,
Or cymbal, that’s always clanging.

If I’ve the gift of prophecy,
And fathom knowledge, mystery,
If I have faith to mountains move,
I am a naught, if I haven’t love.

If everything, I give the poor,
And send my body, up in flames,
I gain nothing, if I haven’t love.

Yes, love is patient and is kind;
It does not envy any mind;
It does not boast, for it’s not proud;
’Tis not self-seeking and not rude.

’Tis not angered with ease at all,
And does not keep records of fall;
In evil, it does not delight,
Rejoicing in truth and in light;
It always hopes and always trusts;
It perseveres and too protects.

Yet, prophecies cease into past,
And stilled will be all tongues at last,
And knowledge too, will pass away,
But never fails, love any day.

We know and prophesy in parts;
With time, imperfection departs;
As child, I talked like one and thought,
And reasoned childishly, a lot.

I put my childish ways behind,
When I became a man in mind;
A poor reflection now, we see
Mirror-like; direct then, ’twill be.

I know in part, then, know fully,
When I am known in full, surely.
The three remain: faith, hope and love;
The greatest being, only love!

Copyright by Dr John Celes 7-5-2007