Part 42 (1/2)

(34)Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of G.o.d. I say it to your shame.

(35)But some one will say: How do the dead rise? And with what kind of body do they come? (36)Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die; (37)and what thou sowest, not the body that shall be sowest thou, but bare grain, perchance of wheat, or of some other grain. (38)But G.o.d gives it a body as it pleased him, and to each of the seeds its own body.

(39)All flesh is not the same flesh; but there is one flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, another of birds.

(40)There are also heavenly bodies, and earthly bodies; but the glory of the heavenly is one, and that of the earthly is another. (41)There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for star differs from star in glory.

(42)So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption, it rises in incorruption. (43)It is sown in dishonor, it rises in glory. It is sown in weakness, it rises in power. (44)It is sown a natural body, it rises a spiritual body.

If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual. (45)So also it is written: The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam a life-giving spirit. (46)But the spiritual is not first, but the natural; and afterward the spiritual. (47)The first man was of the earth, earthy; the second man is from heaven. (48)As was the earthy, such are they also that are earthy; and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. (49)And as we bore the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.

(50)And this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood can not inherit the kingdom of G.o.d; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. (51)Behold, I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, (52)in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. (53)For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. (54)And when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then will be brought to pa.s.s the saying, that is written: Death is swallowed up in victory. (55)Where, O death, is thy sting? Where, O death, is thy victory? (56)The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. (57)But thanks be to G.o.d, who gives us the victory, through our Lord Jesus Christ.

(58)Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

XVI.

NOW concerning the collection for the saints, as I gave order to the churches of Galatia, so also do ye. (2)On each first day of the week, let every one of you lay by him in store, according as he is prospered, that there may be no collections when I come. (3)And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve, them I will send with letters to carry your benefaction to Jerusalem. (4)And if it be worthy of my going also, they shall go with me.

(5)And I will come to you, when I shall pa.s.s through Macedonia. For I pa.s.s through Macedonia; (6)and it may be that I will remain, or even pa.s.s the winter with you, that ye may bring me on my journey whithersoever I go. (7)For I wish not to see you now, in pa.s.sing; for I hope to remain some time with you, if the Lord permit. (8)But I shall remain at Ephesus until the Pentecost. (9)For a great and effectual door is open to me, and there are many adversaries.

(10)Now if Timothy come, see that he may be with you without fear; for he works the work of the Lord, as I also do. (11)Let no one therefore despise him; but send him forward in peace, that he may come to me; for I look for him with the brethren.

(12)And concerning Apollos the brother, I besought him much to come to you with the brethren; and it was not at all his will to come at this time, but he will come when he shall have a convenient time.

(13)Watch, stand fast in the faith, acquit you like men, be strong.

(14)Let all your acts be done in love.

(15)And I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the first-fruits of Achaia, and that they devoted themselves to the service of the saints,) (16)that ye also submit yourselves to such, and to every one that works with us, and labors.

(17)I am glad of the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus; for what was lacking on your part they supplied. (18)For they refreshed my spirit and yours; therefore acknowledge those who are such.

(19)The churches of Asia salute you.

Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house. (20)All the brethren salute you. Salute one another with a holy kiss.

(21)The salutation of me, Paul, with my own hand.

(22)If any one loves not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accursed.

Maran atha[16:22]!

(23)The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. (24)My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.

THE SECOND LETTER OF PAUL TO THE CORINTHIANS.

I.