A South African Missionary's Translation of 1 Cor. 13

If I have the language perfectly and
speak like a native
and have not His love,
I am nothing.

If I have diplomas and degrees and know
all the up-to-date methods,
and have not His touch of understanding love,
I am nothing.

If I am able to argue successfully against
the religions of the people and make fools
of them and have not His wooing note of love,
I am nothing.

If I have all faiths and great ideals
and magnificent plans
and not His love that sweats
and bleeds and weeps and
prays and pleads,
I am nothing.

If I give my clothes and money
to them and have not love for them,
I am nothing.

If I surrender all prospects. Leave home
and friends and make the sacrifices
of a missionary career and then turn
sour and selfish amid the daily
annoyances and slights of the missionary life,
then I am nothing.

If I can heal all manner of sickness
and disease but wound hearts and hurt feelings
for want of His love that is kind,
I am nothing.

If I can write articles and publish books
that win applause but faith to transcribe
the word of the cross into the
language of His love,
I am nothing.