the Good Question

I hope you enjoy reading this as much as I did translating it! I spent many hours studying the Greek words behind this beautiful lyric in 1 Corinthians 13, ending up with this meaning-for-meaning, occasionally-paraphrased, expanded translation (similar in purpose to Wuest's Expanded Translation of the New Testament, except much easier to read). I have since done this for several passages of Scripture and continue to do it for personal and group Bible studies. I have found it extremely valuable to my understanding of the meaning of several portions of Scripture. And I have been continually dumbstruck at the sheer literary beauty of the Word of God as I have tackled this and other passages. I have reread this one in-particular probably close to two dozen times, just for the enjoyment and the depth of meaning I can't escape from.

4 True love patiently tolerates annoyance and disrespect,
never succumbing to shortsighted temper.

True love is constructive and kind,
always fostering others and contributing good.

True love does not boil with jealousy or stew with envy,
never leaning to suspicion or lusting for control.

True love is not anxious to impress,
never bragging or exaggerating its status.

True love does not suffer from an inflated ego,
never cherishing exalted ideas of its own importance.

5 True love does not act dishonorably and is not rude,
never bringing shame to those it holds dear.

True love does not pursue its own selfish interests,
never demanding its own way or insisting on its own rights.

True love is not irritable or touchy,
never allowing itself to be provoked.

True love is not resentful or bitter,
never keeping a grudge or a record of wrongs.

6 True love does not applaud injustice or imperfection,
never gloating when someone is wronged or flawed.

On the contrary, Love cheers beside Truth,
sharing in the joy of each other’s triumphs.

7 True love extends its protection to all,
absorbing every blow.

It exercises faith in all,
defying every fear and reservation.

It expects the best from all,
seeing what no one else sees.

And it endures every difficulty,
never losing heart.

8 True love still stands when everything else has fallen.

Labels: love, translation