CHARITY, supremest love,
Forever doth abide;
Of righteousness it doth approve;
From sin it turns aside. Charity hath elements
Of Christian graces rare;
Is rich in works and fruitfulness
Abounding everywhere. Charity hath temper sweet,
Not easily provoked;
Has grace for all who with it meet;
With anger is not yoked; Rejoiceth not in evil things,
But truth it loveth well.
Our faith to heaven only brings
Where charity doth dwell. Charity is true and kind,
And seeketh not her own,
For to all selfishness 'tis blind,
And ever suff'reth long. Charity is not puffed up—
Humility it wears;
It puts a seal upon the lips,
Speaks not of self or cares. With courtesy 'tis always filled;
In little things 'tis kind;
With hearts of purest love instilled,
Its mercies are entwined. Charity is generous, too,
Is great in gifts; it seems
The noblest things for heaven we do
When love through action gleams It leads us through the pearly gates,
Is guileless, free from sin;
It enters where all heaven waits
For us to enter in. If, then, we see but darkly here,
Through faith and hope and grace,
We know, with charity, we'll there
See clearly face to face.