I may have the gift of inspired preaching; I may have all knowledge and understand all secrets; I may have all the faith needed to move mountains---but if I have no love, I am nothing.

I may give away everything I have, and even give up my body to be burned ---but if I have no love, this does me no good.

The Spirit gives one person a message full of wisdom, while to another person the same Spirit gives a message full of knowledge.

And if the ear were to say, "Because I am not an eye, I don't belong to the body," that would not keep it from being a part of the body.

They are not all apostles or prophets or teachers. Not everyone has the power to work miracles

or to heal diseases or to speak in strange tongues or to explain what is said.

So when I come to you, my friends, what use will I be to you if I speak in strange tongues? Not a bit, unless I bring you some revelation from God or some knowledge or some inspired message or some teaching.

(SEE 12:3)

They make proud and stupid statements, and use immoral bodily lusts to trap those who are just beginning to escape from among people who live in error.

Now, concerning what you wrote about food offered to idols. It is true, of course, that "all of us have knowledge," as they say. Such knowledge, however, puffs a person up with pride; but love builds up.

The King will reply, 'I tell you, whenever you refused to help one of these least important ones, you refused to help me.'

If you hurt others because of something you eat, then you are no longer acting from love. Do not let the food that you eat ruin the person for whom Christ died!

For when we are in union with Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor the lack of it makes any difference at all; what matters is faith that works through love.

But the Spirit produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

The purpose of this order is to arouse the love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and a genuine faith.

Above everything, love one another earnestly, because love covers over many sins.

Take such lifeless musical instruments as the flute or the harp---how will anyone know the tune that is being played unless the notes are sounded distinctly?

And if the one who plays the bugle does not sound a clear call, who will prepare for battle?