1 Corinthians 15:46-16:24

English Standard Version

⁴⁶ But it is not the spiritual that is first but the natural, and then the spiritual. ^47 (A)The first man was from the earth, ^(B)a man of dust; ^(C)the second man is from heaven. ⁴⁸ As was the man of dust, so also are those who are of the dust, and as is the man of heaven, ^(D)so also are those who are of heaven. ⁴⁹ Just ^(E)as we have borne the image of the man of dust, ^(F)we shall^[a] also bear the image of the man of heaven.

Mystery and Victory

⁵⁰ I tell you this, brothers: ^(G)flesh and blood ^(H)cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. ⁵¹ Behold! I tell you a mystery. ^(I)We shall not all sleep, ^(J)but we shall all be changed, ⁵² in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For ^(K)the trumpet will sound, and ^(L)the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. ⁵³ For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and ^(M)this mortal body must put on immortality. ⁵⁴ When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written:

⁵⁶ The sting of death is sin, and ^(P)the power of sin is the law. ⁵⁷ But thanks be to God, ^(Q)who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

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

The Collection for the Saints

16 Now concerning^{[b] (U)}the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do. ² On ^(V)the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, ^(W)as he may prosper, ^(X)so that there will be no collecting when I come. ³ And when I arrive, I will send ^(Y)those whom you accredit by letter to carry your gift to Jerusalem. ⁴ If it seems advisable that I should go also, they will accompany me.

Plans for Travel

^5 (Z)I will visit you after passing through ^(AA)Macedonia, for ^(AB)I intend to pass through Macedonia, ⁶ and perhaps I will stay with you or even spend the winter, so that you may ^(AC)help me on my journey, wherever I go. ⁷ For I do not want to see you now ^(AD)just in passing. I hope to spend some time with you, ^(AE)if the Lord permits. ⁸ But I will stay in Ephesus until ^(AF)Pentecost, ⁹ for ^(AG)a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and ^(AH)there are many adversaries.

^10 (AI)When Timothy comes, see that you put him at ease among you, for ^(AJ)he is doing ^(AK)the work of the Lord, as I am. ¹¹ So ^(AL)let no one despise him. ^(AM)Help him on his way ^(AN)in peace, that he may return to me, for I am expecting him with the brothers.

Final Instructions

¹² Now concerning ^(AO)our brother Apollos, I strongly urged him to visit you with the other brothers, but it was not at all his will^[c] to come now. He will come when he has opportunity.

^13 (AP)Be watchful, ^(AQ)stand firm in the faith, ^(AR)act like men, ^(AS)be strong. ^14 (AT)Let all that you do be done in love.

¹⁵ Now I urge you, brothers^[d]—you know that ^(AU)the household^[e] of Stephanas were ^(AV)the first converts in Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves ^(AW)to the service of the saints— ^16 (AX)be subject to such as these, and to every fellow worker and laborer. ¹⁷ I rejoice at the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus, because they have made up for ^(AY)your absence, ¹⁸ for they ^(AZ)refreshed my spirit as well as yours. ^(BA)Give recognition to such people.

Greetings

¹⁹ The churches of Asia send you greetings. ^(BB)Aquila and Prisca, together with ^(BC)the church in their house, send you hearty greetings in the Lord. ²⁰ All the brothers send you greetings. ^(BD)Greet one another with a holy kiss.

²¹ I, Paul, write ^(BE)this greeting with my own hand. ²² If anyone has no love for the Lord, let him be ^(BF)accursed. Our Lord, come!^{[f] 23 (BG)}The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. ²⁴ My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.