Musings -- A Continuing Series of Comments on Specific Translation Issues within the International Standard Version New Testament

by Dr. David Alan Black

"So great is the force of established usage that even acknowledged corruptions please the greater part, for they prefer to have their copies pretty rather than accurate."

Jerome

Dr. David Alan Black
Associate Editor, ISV NT

An Ode to Love

Another example of ISV poetry is Paul’s ode to love in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, one of the best-loved passages in all of Scripture and one that every Christian deserves to learn by heart.

Perhaps the following rendering from the International Standard Version will help you do just that—and help you to savor it like a good cup of coffee in the morning, or like a gorgeous sunset at night.

Love is very patient,
Love is very kind,
Love is never envious
Or vaunted up with pride.

Nor is she conceited,
And never is she rude,
Never does she think of self
Or ever get annoyed.

She never is resentful,
Is never glad with sin,
But always glad to side with truth,
Whene’er the truth should win.

She bears up under everything,
Believes the best in all,
There is no limit to her hope,
And never will she fall.