Bible verses about love
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 lists what love does, 1 John 4:7-8 ties love to God's own nature, and John 13:34-35 has Jesus telling his friends to love each other. That gives you three angles on one word. All eleven verses are below in full.
Free to read, no account. Last updated November 9, 2026. Scripture: King James Version and World English Bible (public domain).
1.1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
In the World English Bible
Love is patient and is kind. Love doesn’t envy. Love doesn’t brag, is not proud, doesn’t behave itself inappropriately, doesn’t seek its own way, is not provoked, takes no account of evil; doesn’t rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things.
Love described by what it does: patient, kind, not keeping score. Often read at weddings, though Paul wrote it to a church full of conflict.
2.1 John 4:7-8
Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
In the World English Bible
Beloved, let’s love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. He who doesn’t love doesn’t know God, for God is love.
John ties love to God's own character, so loving people gets treated as part of knowing him.
3.John 13:34-35
A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
In the World English Bible
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Said at the last supper. Jesus gives his friends a new command and says love will be how others recognize them.
4.Romans 12:9-10
Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
In the World English Bible
Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor that which is evil. Cling to that which is good. In love of the brothers be tenderly affectionate to one another; in honor prefer one another,
Sincere love, turning from what is wrong, and honoring each other first. A short checklist for ordinary relationships.
5.1 John 3:18
My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
In the World English Bible
My little children, let’s not love in word only, or with the tongue only, but in deed and truth.
Love shown through action instead of just speech. Worth rereading when talk has been cheap lately.
6.Colossians 3:14
And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
In the World English Bible
Above all these things, walk in love, which is the bond of perfection.
After a list of habits to put on, Paul says love is what holds them all together.
7.Matthew 22:37-39
Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
In the World English Bible
Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. A second likewise is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
Asked for the greatest commandment, Jesus gives two: love God with everything, then care about the person next to you.
8.Song of Solomon 8:6-7
Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm: for love is strong as death; jealousy is cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame. Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it: if a man would give all the substance of his house for love, it would utterly be contemned.
In the World English Bible
Set me as a seal on your heart, as a seal on your arm; for love is strong as death. Jealousy is as cruel as Sheol. Its flashes are flashes of fire, a very flame of the LORD. Many waters can’t quench love, neither can floods drown it. If a man would give all the wealth of his house for love, he would be utterly scorned.
A love poem comparing devotion to the force of death and fire. Water can't put it out, and money can't buy it.
9.Romans 13:8
Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
In the World English Bible
Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.
Paul says the only debt worth carrying is love for others. Everything else, pay off.
10.1 Corinthians 16:14
Let all your things be done with charity.
In the World English Bible
Let all that you do be done in love.
The shortest instruction on the page. Whatever else the day holds, do it with love.
11.Galatians 5:13-14
For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
In the World English Bible
For you, brothers, were called for freedom. Only don’t use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love be servants to one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
Freedom is meant for serving each other through love, and Paul says the whole law fits in one sentence.
Free
Get one verse every morning
Today's verse, a short reflection and a prayer. Free, no account.
Read today's verseQuestions
What is a good Bible verse about love?
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 is a good place to start. Love described by what it does: patient, kind, not keeping score. Often read at weddings, though Paul wrote it to a church full of conflict.
What does the Bible say love is?
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 is the longest description, listing what love does and doesn't do. 1 John 4:7-8 connects love to God's own nature, and John 13:34-35 makes it the mark of Jesus' followers. Scripture talks about love mostly as something you do.
Which Bible verse is read at weddings?
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 is the most common, though Paul wrote it to a church in conflict. Song of Solomon 8:6-7 and Colossians 3:14 also fit a ceremony. For verses about the marriage itself, see the marriage page.
Related topics
Made by Lamplight, a small Sarvixo product. Notes on each verse are ours, written with AI tools and checked against the passage. The verses are printed exactly as published.