Tha Guid Buik
Author: Anne Smyth (translator)
Date: 2012
Source: Ullans: The Magazine for Ulster-Scots, Nummer 12 Wunter 2011/12
I Corinthians 13
1. The mair A discoorse in the gate o man-bodies an angels, gin A haenae luive in ma hert A’m the like o boast bress or less a tinglin cymbal.
2. The mair A hae the hansel o proaphecy an tak up aa that’s uncannie an aa kines o wittins; the mair A lippen the wye A cud mak muntains flit, an haenae luive, A’m nayther gear nor guid.
3. The mair A bestowe aa ma gaun gear furtae fettle puir fowk, an the mair A gie ma boadie tae the lowe an haenae luive, A hae nae oot-tak frae it ava.
4. Luive tholes at, an is couthie; luive disnae leuk tae hae anither’s gear; luive disnae craa crouse, disnae bum an blaa.
5. Disnae guide itsel in an orra gate, disnae hae its hert an its ee in the guid o itsel, isnae aisie riz, disnae cast ower ill wyes.
6. Disnae be blythe at ill daeins, bot bes hert-gled at richt daeins.
7. Pits up wi aa, trows aa, lippens tae aa, tholes aa.
8. Luive tholes aye: bot gin thar’s proaphecies, the’ll no throch; gin thar’s tongues, the’ll be tint; gin thar’s wittin, it’ll rin awa like snaa aff a dyke.
9. Fur we ken a feck o’t, an we proaphesy a feck o’t.
10. Whanivver whit’s fu perfect lanns wi us, bot, syne whit we hae jist a feck o wull be redd oot.
11. Whanivver A wus jist a wean, A taaked leck a wean, A unnèrstuid leck a wean, A thocht leck a wean: whanivver A wus man-growed, bot, A buckt oot weans’ geegaws.
12. Fur thenoo we see nae mair nor a stime throch a leukkin-gless; syne, bot, fu afore us; noo A ken a feck o’t; syne A’ll ken jist as weel as A’m kent masel.
13. An noo the hale thie o thaim bides oan — feth, howp an luive; bot still an withal tha foremaist o thaim aa is luive.
