become just a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have prophetic powers, or understand all mysteries and have all knowledge, or even if I have faith enough to move mountains, but I do not have love, I am nothing."

"We have come to know and to believe in the love God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love remains in God and God remains in him. By this, love is brought to perfection among us, that we may have confidence on the day of judgment because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, so one who fears is not yet perfected in love. We love, because he first loved us."