We see through a glass, darkly.

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1 Corinthians 13:12-13

Tyndale New Testament (1534)

Now we see in a glass even in a dark speaking: but then shall we see face to face. Now I know imperfectly: but then shall I know even as I am known. Now abideth faith, hope, and love, even these three: but the chief of these is love.

King James Bible (1611)

For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

Analyzing the difference

This is a famous passage from countless weddings. The King James Bible translation of “charity” is conservative, deriving ultimately from the Vulgate’s caritas, which translates the Greek word agape. Tyndale’s “love” is much more concrete and personal, rejecting any possible suggestion of “charity” in the sense of alms-giving or donating money, which reformers saw as connected to the abuses of the institutional church. Modern translations often try to clarify the meaning of “through a glass, darkly,” but both Tyndale and the King James Bible capture the mystery of the original.