Vat.sir.369

Likeness

that he was of them. And just
as the Lord is,
so also are those who are
from heaven. And as we have worn
the likeness of him who is from the dust,
so we shall wear the likeness of him
who is from heaven. This, however, I say,
my brothers, that flesh and blood
cannot inherit the kingdom of God,
nor does corruption
inherit incorruption.
Behold, a mystery I tell you.
Not all of us shall sleep,
but we shall all be changed,
swiftly, as
the twinkling of an eye, at the last
trumpet when it sounds. And the dead shall rise
without corruption, and we shall be changed.
For this which is corruptible is destined
to put on incorruption,
and this which is mortal to put on
immortality. When, however, this
which is corruptible puts on incorruption,
and this which is mortal, immortality,
then the word that is written shall come to pass:
Death is swallowed up
in victory. Where is your sting,
O death? Where is your
victory, O Sheol? The sting of death
is sin, and the power of sin
is the law. Thanks be
to God who gives us victory
through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Therefore, my brothers and my beloved,
be steadfast and do not be moved,
but be abounding in the work
of the Lord at all times, knowing
that your labor is not
in vain in the Lord. Regarding what
is being collected for the saints,
just as I commanded the church of Galatia,
so also you do.
On every first day of the week, let each one of you
in his house set aside and store
that which comes to his hand,
so that when I come, there will not
be collections. And when I come, those
whom you choose, them I will send
with letters to carry your grace i.e., your charitable offering
to Jerusalem. And if it is worthy
also for me to go, they shall go with me.
I will come to you,
when I have passed
through Macedonia. I am passing indeed
through Macedonia, and perhaps also to you
I shall stay, or winter with you,
so that you may accompany me to the place
where I am going. For I do not wish
to see you now as a passing traveler,
for I hope to delay some time
with you, if the Lord permits me.
I am staying in Ephesus
until Pentecost. A great door
has been opened to me, full of
work, and there are many adversaries.
If, however, Timothy comes to you,
see that he be with you without fear,
for he works the work of the Lord as I do.

Therefore, let no one despise him,
but send him in peace, that he may come
to me, for I am waiting for him
with the brothers. Regarding Apollos, however, my brother,
I much entreated him to come to you
with the brothers, and perhaps it was not his will
to come to you. When, however, the opportunity
presents itself, he will come to you.
Be vigilant and stand in the faith,
be brave and be strong, and all
your affairs shall be in love.
I ask you, however, my brothers,
regarding the house of Stephanas,
because you know that they are
the firstfruits of Achaia, and they have set themselves
to the service of the saints,
that also you
shall be obedient to those
who are like this, and to everyone who labors
with us and helps. I rejoice indeed
in the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus
and Achaicus, because what you lacked
before me, they have filled. They have refreshed
my spirit and yours.
You should therefore be acknowledging
those who are like this. The many churches
in Asia greet you. They greet you
much in our Lord, Aquila and Priscilla,
with the church that is in their house. All the brothers
greet you.
Greet one another with a
holy kiss. The greeting by the hand
of me, Paul. If anyone does not love
our Lord Jesus Christ,
let him be anathema. Our Lord is coming. The grace

of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
And my love be with you all in Christ
Jesus. Amen. Finished is the first
epistle to the Corinthians,
which was written from Philippi
by the hand of Stephanas and Fortunatus
and Achaicus and Timothy.

To the Corinthians, the second.
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ
by the will of God, and Timothy
the brother, to the church of God which is
in Corinth, and to all the saints
who are in all Achaia. Grace
be with you and peace from God
our Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ.
Blessed is God, the Father
of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father
of mercies and the God of all comfort,
He who comforts us in all our
tribulations, that we also may be able
to comfort those who are in any
tribulation, by that comfort with which we
ourselves are comforted by God. For just as
the sufferings of Christ abound in us,
so also through Christ
does our comfort abound. If, however, we are afflicted,
it is for the sake of your comfort
and for the sake of your lives that we are afflicted,
and if we are comforted, it is that you
may be comforted, and there will be in you
the effectiveness to endure those
same sufferings that we also suffer.
And our hope for you is steadfast,
for we know that if you are partakers
in suffering, you are partakers also in comfort.