Thursday, August 30, 2012

The Greatest Gift





This is for my friend.

It was originally written in a language other than English. There are many translations. Some are more poetic than others. I present it here in its entirety, but I have taken the liberty of piecing together parts of the various translations. I truly believe that the original author would wish for it to be presented in the way most easily absorbed, and these pieces are, to my ear, the best toward that end.

If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.

If I had the gift of prophecy, an understanding of all of God’s secret plans, and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but did not love others, I would be nothing.

If I gave everything I have to the poor, and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing.

Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice, but rejoices whenever the truth wins out.

Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

Prophecy, and speaking in unknown languages, and special knowledge, will become useless, but love will last forever.

Our knowledge now is partial and incomplete, and even the gift of prophecy reveals only part of the whole picture. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things. For now, we see through a glass darkly, but then, face to face. Now, I know in part, but then, I shall know just as I also am known.

Three things will last forever — faith, hope, and love. And the greatest of these is love.


Please visit my friend and say "Hi!". Be love.

Thank you.



17 comments:

Kat said...

I like this version. Thank you for posting it.

Just stopped by Moannie's yesterday to offer my prayers and thanks. I am sure she will very much appreciate this post. :)

Jeni said...

I had just posted on Moanie's blog right below your post, Jim. Then, reading blogs on my reader, this post of yours was next in line so the memory of your comment was fresh in my mind and I just knew this post was for Moanie. Beautiful gift and yes, it is the Greatest Gift too, Jim.
BTW -I read your post yesterday with all the quips and quotes from baseball legends and loved it! Didn't get a chance to comment on it then but I am now. (A day late, dollar short -as usual, ya know!) Peace.

Maggie May said...

This is a beautiful version.
Glad to know it is for Moannie!

Maggie X

Nuts in May

Craig said...

Thanks for this, Jim. I went to Moannie's and left a comment.

Daryl said...

you know, i visit every time Moannie or Saz updates but damn it i cannot leave a comment .. every single fecking time i try i get:

Not Found

Error 404

Seriously .. this fecking pisses me off ...

messymimi said...

She and her family are in my prayers.

Lovely translation.

Hilary said...

A lovely gift for our beautiful Moannie, Jim.

Buck said...

What all above me said.

(not necessarily your) Uncle Skip said...

Gee, Jim, someone aughta give you an award for all of the nice things you do (HSWHTPFIHC)

Michelle H. said...

Beautiful post!No words can truly describe the friendship you give to people.

Barbara said...

Beautiful, Jim. You are such a wonderful friend.

Tabor said...

Very nice reminder on such a beautiful day.

lime said...

oh, i've been so saddened by moannie's news. she and saz and their family have been in my prayers. thank you for this, jim. you and YOUR WIFE are people who love each other and your families and friends well. i know moannie is feeling it from you. i hope she is deriving strength from us all in these days.

IT (aka Ivan Toblog) said...

I really never quite know what to say in situations like this... other than prayers, that is.

i beati said...


reminds me so much of the song Here I am Lord

Unknown said...

It's tough sometimes. I've added Moannie & her family & friends to my prayer list. -TimK

Moannie said...

Hi Jim, thank you so much for the tribute to Mum/moannie...I did send it to her via telephone..I believe she got the gist and was a bit teary...

Everything is a bit overwhelming or just plain difficult for her to take in, if more than a bite size chunk. However I do keep reading out comments and posts a few at a time...

I will update here next week as I hope to have some news....
Saz xx