1 Corinthians 15:50-16:9

New International Version

⁵⁰ I declare to you, brothers and sisters, that flesh and blood^(A) cannot inherit the kingdom of God,^(B) nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.^{(C) 51} Listen, I tell you a mystery:^(D) We will not all sleep,^(E) but we will all be changed^(F)— ⁵² in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound,^(G) the dead^(H) will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. ⁵³ For the perishable^(I) must clothe itself with the imperishable,^(J) and the mortal with immortality. ⁵⁴ When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”^[a](K)

⁵⁶ The sting of death is sin,^(M) and the power of sin is the law.^{(N) 57} But thanks be to God!^(O) He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.^(P)

⁵⁸ Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord,^(Q) because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.^(R)

The Collection for the Lord’s People

16 Now about the collection^(S) for the Lord’s people:^(T) Do what I told the Galatian^(U) churches to do. ² On the first day of every week,^(V) each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.^{(W) 3} Then, when I arrive, I will give letters of introduction to the men you approve^(X) and send them with your gift to Jerusalem. ⁴ If it seems advisable for me to go also, they will accompany me.

Personal Requests

⁵ After I go through Macedonia, I will come to you^(Y)—for I will be going through Macedonia.^{(Z) 6} Perhaps I will stay with you for a while, or even spend the winter, so that you can help me on my journey,^(AA) wherever I go. ⁷ For I do not want to see you now and make only a passing visit; I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits.^{(AB) 8} But I will stay on at Ephesus^(AC) until Pentecost,^{(AD) 9} because a great door for effective work has opened to me,^(AE) and there are many who oppose me.