how to call recent post content in a loop ( only the content before read more tag)

for latest 5 post you can use this code:

$args = array('post_type'=>'post', 'posts_per_page'=> 5);
$query = new WP_Query($args);
if($query->have_posts()):
    while($query->have_posts()):$query->the_post();
       echo '<li>';
       $content = get_the_excerpt();

//for featured image

if(has_post_thumbnail()):
the_post_thumbnail();
endif;
           print $content;
           echo '</li> ';
        endwhile;
        wp_reset_postdata();
    endif;

In case you want to change word count in excerpt use this action hook function.
/**
* Filter the except length to 20 words.
*
* @param int $length Excerpt length.
* @return int (Maybe) modified excerpt length.
*/

   function wpdocs_custom_excerpt_length( $length ) {
        return 20;
    }
    add_filter( 'excerpt_length', 'wpdocs_custom_excerpt_length', 999 );

In case you need to change read more text.

/**
* Filter the “read more” excerpt string link to the post.
*
* @param string $more “Read more” excerpt string.
* @return string (Maybe) modified “read more” excerpt string.
*/

function wpdocs_excerpt_more( $more ) {
    return sprintf( '<a class="read-more" href="https://wordpress.stackexchange.com/questions/277240/%1$s">%2$s</a>',
        get_permalink( get_the_ID() ),
        __( 'Read More', 'textdomain' )
    );
}
add_filter( 'excerpt_more', 'wpdocs_excerpt_more' );

hope this will help!

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