Love never ends; as for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. For our knowledge is imperfect and our prophecy is imperfect; but when the perfect comes, the imperfect will pass away. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; when I became a man, I gave up childish ways. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall understand fully, even as I have been fully understood. So faith, hope, love abide [remain], these three; but the greatest of these is love.

Assessment

1. Determine Central Ideas What does Paul think will happen to people when they have love?
2. Analyze Style and Rhetoric Paul uses repetition of words and phrases throughout this letter. What purpose does this serve?
3. Determine Author's Purpose What do you think Paul wanted to teach the people of Corinth with this letter?

[ The Quran ]

Introduction

The Quran, the holy scriptures of Islam, contains 114 suras, or chapters, which are divided into verses. Muslims believe that the Quran is the word of God as revealed to Muhammad. They also believe that God instructed Muhammad to arrange the chapters into the order in which they appear. The following excerpts from the Quran tell Muslims how to be righteous and faithful. They also encourage believers to fast and observe the holy month of Ramadan.

Primary Source

Righteousness is not whether you turn your face towards East or West; but the righteousness is to believe in Allah, the Last Day, the Angels, the Books [Scriptures] and Prophets, and to spend wealth out of love for Him on relatives, orphans, helpless, needy travelers, those who ask for and on the redemption [freedom by payment of ransom] of captives; and to establish Salah (prayers), to pay Zakah (alms) [charity given freely to the poor], to fulfill promises when made, to be steadfast in distress, in adversity [misfortune], and at the time of war. These people are the truthful and these are the pious.

—The Quran 2:177

O, believers! Fasting is prescribed [ordered] for you as it was prescribed for those before you so that you may learn self-restraint. Fast the prescribed number of days; except if any of you is ill or on a journey, then fast a similar number of days later. For those who can not endure it for medical reasons, there is a ransom [act of devotion]: the feeding of one poor person for each missed day. Whoever does more good than this voluntarily, it is better for him. However, if you truly understand the rationale of fasting, it is better for you to fast.

It is the month of Ramadhãn in which the Qur'an was revealed, a guidance for mankind with clear teachings showing the Right Way and a criterion of truth and falsehood. Therefore, anyone of you who witnesses that month should fast therein, and whoever is ill or upon a journey shall fast a similar number of days later on. Allah intends your well-being and does not want to put you to hardship. He wants you to complete the prescribed period so that you should glorify His Greatness and render [give] thanks to Him for giving you guidance.

—The Quran 2:183–185

Assessment

1. Determine Central Ideas Why is Ramadan considered an important and holy month?
2. Identify Supporting Details Islam has Five Pillars, or primary obligations: profession of faith, prayer, almsgiving, fasting during Ramadan, and pilgrimage to Mecca. How does this excerpt from the Quran support the Five Pillars?
3. Identify Cause and Effect How do you think the revelation of the Quran to Muhammad has affected the lives of Muslims?

[ The Magna Carta ]

Introduction

King John ruled England from 1199 to 1216. During his troubled reign, he found himself in conflict with England's feudal barons.

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