³⁵ But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come?
³⁶ Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die:
³⁷ And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain:
³⁸ But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body.
³⁹ All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds.
⁴⁰ There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another.
⁴¹ There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory.
⁴² So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:
⁴³ It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power:
⁴⁴ It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.
⁴⁵ And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.
⁴⁶ Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.
⁴⁷ The first man is of the earth, earthy; the second man is the Lord from heaven.
⁴⁸ As is 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 have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.

A Glorious Body

³⁵ But someone will say, “How are the dead raised up? And with what body do they come?” ³⁶ Foolish one, what you sow is not made alive unless it dies. ³⁷ And what you sow, you do not sow that body that shall be, but mere grain—perhaps wheat or some other grain. ³⁸ But God gives it a body as He pleases, and to each seed its own body.

³⁹ All flesh is not the same flesh, but there is one kind ^[a]of flesh of men, another flesh of animals, another of fish, and another of birds.

⁴⁰ There are also ^[b]celestial bodies and ^[c]terrestrial bodies; but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. ⁴¹ There is one glory of the sun, another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differs from another star in glory.

⁴² So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption. ⁴³ It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. ⁴⁴ It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. ⁴⁵ And so it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being.” The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.

⁴⁶ However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural, and afterward the spiritual. ⁴⁷ The first man was of the earth, made^[d] of dust; the second Man is ^[e]the Lord from heaven. ⁴⁸ As was the ^[f]man of dust, so also are those who are made of dust; and as is the heavenly Man, so also are those who are heavenly. ⁴⁹ And as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we^[g] shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man.

Footnotes:
a. 1 Corinthians 15:39 NU, M omit of flesh
b. 1 Corinthians 15:40 heavenly
c. 1 Corinthians 15:40 earthly
d. 1 Corinthians 15:47 earthy
e. 1 Corinthians 15:47 NU omits the Lord
f. 1 Corinthians 15:48 earthy
g. 1 Corinthians 15:49 M let us also bear

The Resurrection Body

³⁵ But someone will ask, “How are the dead raised? With what kind of body will they come?” ³⁶ How foolish! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies. ³⁷ When you sow, you do not plant the body that will be, but just a seed, perhaps of wheat or of something else. ³⁸ But God gives it a body as he has determined, and to each kind of seed he gives its own body. ³⁹ Not all flesh is the same: People have one kind of flesh, animals have another, birds another and fish another. ⁴⁰ There are also heavenly bodies and there are earthly bodies; but the splendor of the heavenly bodies is one kind, and the splendor of the earthly bodies is another. ⁴¹ The sun has one kind of splendor, the moon another and the stars another; and star differs from star in splendor.

⁴² So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; ⁴³ it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; ⁴⁴ it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body.

If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. ⁴⁵ So it is written: “The first man Adam became a living being”^[a]; the last Adam, a life-giving spirit. ⁴⁶ The spiritual did not come first, but the natural, and after that the spiritual. ⁴⁷ The first man was of the dust of the earth; the second man is of heaven. ⁴⁸ As was the earthly man, so are those who are of the earth; and as is the heavenly man, so also are those who are of heaven. ⁴⁹ And just as we have borne the image of the earthly man, so shall we^[b] bear the image of the heavenly man.

Footnotes:
a. 1 Corinthians 15:45 Gen. 2:7
b. 1 Corinthians 15:49 Some early manuscripts so let us

The Resurrection Body

³⁵ But someone may ask, “How will the dead be raised? What kind of bodies will they have?” ³⁶ What a foolish question! When you put a seed into the ground, it doesn’t grow into a plant unless it dies first. ³⁷ And what you put in the ground is not the plant that will grow, but only a bare seed of wheat or whatever you are planting. ³⁸ Then God gives it the new body he wants it to have. A different plant grows from each kind of seed. ³⁹ Similarly there are different kinds of flesh—one kind for humans, another for animals, another for birds, and another for fish.

⁴⁰ There are also bodies in the heavens and bodies on the earth. The glory of the heavenly bodies is different from the glory of the earthly bodies. ⁴¹ The sun has one kind of glory, while the moon and stars each have another kind. And even the stars differ from each other in their glory.

⁴² It is the same way with the resurrection of the dead. Our earthly bodies are planted in the ground when we die, but they will be raised to live forever. ⁴³ Our bodies are buried in brokenness, but they will be raised in glory. They are buried in weakness, but they will be raised in strength. ⁴⁴ They are buried as natural human bodies, but they will be raised as spiritual bodies. For just as there are natural bodies, there are also spiritual bodies.

⁴⁵ The Scriptures tell us, “The first man, Adam, became a living person.”^[a] But the last Adam—that is, Christ—is a life-giving Spirit. ⁴⁶ What comes first is the natural body, then the spiritual body comes later. ⁴⁷ Adam, the first man, was made from the dust of the earth, while Christ, the second man, came from heaven. ⁴⁸ Earthly people are like the earthly man, and heavenly people are like the heavenly man. ⁴⁹ Just as we are now like the earthly man, we will someday be like^[b] the heavenly man.

Footnotes:
a. 15:45 Gen 2:7.
b. 15:49 Some manuscripts read let us be like.

The Resurrection Body

³⁵ But someone will say, “How are the dead raised up? With what body do they come?” ³⁶ You fool! What you sow is not made alive unless it dies. ³⁷ When you sow, you do not sow the body that shall be, but a bare kernel, perhaps of wheat or of some other grain. ³⁸ Then God gives it a body as He pleases, and to each seed its own body. ³⁹ All flesh is not the same flesh. There is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fish, and another of birds. ⁴⁰ There are also celestial bodies and terrestrial bodies. The glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. ⁴¹ There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars. One star differs from another star in glory.

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

There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. ⁴⁵ So it is written, “The first man Adam was made a living soul.”^[a] The last Adam was made a life-giving spirit. ⁴⁶ However, that which is spiritual is not first, but the natural, and then the spiritual. ⁴⁷ The first man was of the earth, made of dust; the second man was the Lord from heaven. ⁴⁸ As was the man of dust, so are those who are of dust; and as is the man of heaven, so are those who are of heaven. ⁴⁹ As we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven.

Footnotes:
a. 1 Corinthians 15:45 Ge 2:7.

⁵⁰ Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.
⁵¹ Behold, I shew 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 shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
⁵³ For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
⁵⁴ So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
⁵⁵ O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
⁵⁶ The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.
⁵⁷ But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
⁵⁸ Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

Our Final Victory

⁵⁰ Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. ⁵¹ Behold, I tell you a ^[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 trumpet. 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 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”

⁵⁵ “O^[b] Death, where is your sting?
O Hades, where is your victory?”

⁵⁶ The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. ⁵⁷ But thanks be to God, 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.

Footnotes:
a. 1 Corinthians 15:51 hidden truth
b. 1 Corinthians 15:55 NU O Death, where is your victory? O Death, where is your sting?

⁵⁰ I declare to you, brothers and sisters, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. ⁵¹ Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— ⁵² in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. ⁵³ For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, 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]

⁵⁵ “Where, O death, is your victory?
    Where, O death, is your sting?”^[b]

⁵⁶ The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. ⁵⁷ But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

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

Footnotes:
a. 1 Corinthians 15:54 Isaiah 25:8
b. 1 Corinthians 15:55 Hosea 13:14

⁵⁰ What I am saying, dear brothers and sisters, is that our physical bodies cannot inherit the Kingdom of God. These dying bodies cannot inherit what will last forever.

⁵¹ But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed! ⁵² It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed. ⁵³ For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies.

⁵⁴ Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die,^[a] this Scripture will be fulfilled:

“Death is swallowed up in victory.^[b]
55 O death, where is your victory?
    O death, where is your sting?^[c]”

⁵⁶ For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. ⁵⁷ But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.

⁵⁸ So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.

Footnotes:
a. 15:54a Some manuscripts add and our mortal bodies have been transformed into immortal bodies.
b. 15:54b Isa 25:8.
c. 15:55 Hos 13:14 (Greek version).

⁵⁰ Now this I say, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does corruption inherit incorruption. ⁵¹ Listen, 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 trumpet, for the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. ⁵³ For this corruptible will put on incorruption, and this mortal will put on immortality. ⁵⁴ When this corruptible will have put on incorruption, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then the saying that is written shall come to pass: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”^[a]

⁵⁵ “O death, where is your sting?
    O grave, where is your victory?”^[b]

⁵⁶ The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. ⁵⁷ But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!

⁵⁸ Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

Footnotes:
a. 1 Corinthians 15:54 Isa 25:8.
b. 1 Corinthians 15:55 Hos 13:14.

16 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye.
² Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.
³ And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem.
⁴ And if it be meet that I go also, they shall go with me.
⁵ Now I will come unto you, when I shall pass through Macedonia: for I do pass through Macedonia.
⁶ And it may be that I will abide, yea, and winter with you, that ye may bring me on my journey whithersoever I go.
⁷ For I will not see you now by the way; but I trust to tarry a while with you, if the Lord permit.
⁸ But I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost.
⁹ For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries.
¹⁰ Now if Timotheus come, see that he may be with you without fear: for he worketh the work of the Lord, as I also do.
¹¹ Let no man therefore despise him: but conduct him forth in peace, that he may come unto me: for I look for him with the brethren.
¹² As touching our brother Apollos, I greatly desired him to come unto you with the brethren: but his will was not at all to come at this time; but he will come when he shall have convenient time.

Collection for the Saints

16 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: ² On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come. ³ And when I come, whomever you approve by your letters I will send to bear your gift to Jerusalem. ⁴ But if it is fitting that I go also, they will go with me.

Personal Plans

⁵ Now I will come to you when I pass through Macedonia (for I am passing through Macedonia). ⁶ And it may be that I will remain, or even spend the winter with you, that you may send me on my journey, wherever I go. ⁷ For I do not wish to see you now on the way; but I hope to stay a while with you, if the Lord permits.

⁸ But I will tarry in Ephesus until Pentecost. ⁹ For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.

¹⁰ And if Timothy comes, see that he may be with you without fear; for he does the work of the Lord, as I also do. ¹¹ Therefore let no one despise him. But send him on his journey in peace, that he may come to me; for I am waiting for him with the brethren.

¹² Now concerning our brother Apollos, I strongly urged him to come to you with the brethren, but he was quite unwilling to come at this time; however, he will come when he has a convenient time.

The Collection for the Lord’s People

16 Now about the collection for the Lord’s people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do. ² On the first day of every week, 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. ³ Then, when I arrive, I will give letters of introduction to the men you approve 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—for I will be going through Macedonia. ⁶ Perhaps I will stay with you for a while, or even spend the winter, so that you can help me on my journey, 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. ⁸ But I will stay on at Ephesus until Pentecost, ⁹ because a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me.

¹⁰ When Timothy comes, see to it that he has nothing to fear while he is with you, for he is carrying on the work of the Lord, just as I am. ¹¹ No one, then, should treat him with contempt. Send him on his way in peace so that he may return to me. I am expecting him along with the brothers.

¹² Now about our brother Apollos: I strongly urged him to go to you with the brothers. He was quite unwilling to go now, but he will go when he has the opportunity.

The Collection for Jerusalem

16 Now regarding your question about the money being collected for God’s people in Jerusalem. You should follow the same procedure I gave to the churches in Galatia. ² On the first day of each week, you should each put aside a portion of the money you have earned. Don’t wait until I get there and then try to collect it all at once. ³ When I come, I will write letters of recommendation for the messengers you choose to deliver your gift to Jerusalem. ⁴ And if it seems appropriate for me to go along, they can travel with me.

Paul’s Final Instructions

⁵ I am coming to visit you after I have been to Macedonia,^[a] for I am planning to travel through Macedonia. ⁶ Perhaps I will stay awhile with you, possibly all winter, and then you can send me on my way to my next destination. ⁷ This time I don’t want to make just a short visit and then go right on. I want to come and stay awhile, if the Lord will let me. ⁸ In the meantime, I will be staying here at Ephesus until the Festival of Pentecost. ⁹ There is a wide-open door for a great work here, although many oppose me.

¹⁰ When Timothy comes, don’t intimidate him. He is doing the Lord’s work, just as I am. ¹¹ Don’t let anyone treat him with contempt. Send him on his way with your blessing when he returns to me. I expect him to come with the other believers.^[b]

¹² Now about our brother Apollos—I urged him to visit you with the other believers, but he was not willing to go right now. He will see you later when he has the opportunity.

Footnotes:
a. 16:5 Macedonia was in the northern region of Greece.
b. 16:11 Greek with the brothers; also in 16:12.

The Contribution for the Saints

16 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given instruction to the churches of Galatia, so even you must do. ² On the first day of the week let every one of you lay in store, as God has prospered him, so that no collections be made when I come. ³ And when I come, I will send whomever you approve with your letters to take your generous gifts to Jerusalem. ⁴ If it is fitting that I go also, they will go with me.

Paul’s Plans for Travel

⁵ Now I will come to you after I pass through Macedonia. For I will pass through Macedonia. ⁶ It may be that I will remain, of course, and spend the winter with you, that you may send me on my journey wherever I go. ⁷ For I do not wish to see you now in passing. Instead, I trust to remain a while with you, if the Lord permits. ⁸ But I will remain at Ephesus until Pentecost. ⁹ For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.

¹⁰ Now if Timothy comes, see that he may remain with you without fear, for he does the work of the Lord, as I also do. ¹¹ Therefore let no one despise him. But send him on his way in peace, that he may come to me. I am expecting him with the brothers.

¹² As for our brother Apollos, I greatly wanted him to come to you with the brothers. But he was not willing at all to come at this time. However, he will come when he has a convenient time.

¹³ Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.
¹⁴ Let all your things be done with charity.
¹⁵ I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,)
¹⁶ That ye submit yourselves unto such, and to every one that helpeth with us, and laboureth.
¹⁷ I am glad of the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus: for that which was lacking on your part they have supplied.
¹⁸ For they have refreshed my spirit and yours: therefore acknowledge ye them that 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 greet you. Greet ye one another with an holy kiss.
²¹ The salutation of me Paul with mine own hand.
²² If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha.
²³ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
²⁴ My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Final Exhortations

¹³ Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. ¹⁴ Let all that you do be done with love.

¹⁵ I urge you, brethren—you know the household of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to the ministry of the saints— ¹⁶ that you also submit to such, and to everyone who works and labors with us.

¹⁷ I am glad about the coming of Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus, for what was lacking on your part they supplied. ¹⁸ For they refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore acknowledge such men.

Greetings and a Solemn Farewell

¹⁹ The churches of Asia greet you. Aquila and Priscilla greet you heartily in the Lord, with the church that is in their house. ²⁰ All the brethren greet you.

Greet one another with a holy kiss.

²¹ The salutation with my own hand—Paul’s.

²² If anyone does not love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be ^[a]accursed. O^[b] Lord, come!

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

Footnotes:
a. 1 Corinthians 16:22 Gr. anathema
b. 1 Corinthians 16:22 Aram. Marana tha; possibly Maran atha, Our Lord has come

¹³ Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. ¹⁴ Do everything in love.

¹⁵ You know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and they have devoted themselves to the service of the Lord’s people. I urge you, brothers and sisters, ¹⁶ to submit to such people and to everyone who joins in the work and labors at it. ¹⁷ I was glad when Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus arrived, because they have supplied what was lacking from you. ¹⁸ For they refreshed my spirit and yours also. Such men deserve recognition.

Final Greetings

¹⁹ The churches in the province of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Priscilla^[a] greet you warmly in the Lord, and so does the church that meets at their house. ²⁰ All the brothers and sisters here send you greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss.

²¹ I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand.

²² If anyone does not love the Lord, let that person be cursed! Come, Lord^[b]!

²³ The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you.

²⁴ My love to all of you in Christ Jesus. Amen.^[c]

Footnotes:
a. 1 Corinthians 16:19 Greek Prisca, a variant of Priscilla
b. 1 Corinthians 16:22 The Greek for Come, Lord reproduces an Aramaic expression (Marana tha) used by early Christians.
c. 1 Corinthians 16:24 Some manuscripts do not have Amen.

¹³ Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous.^[a] Be strong. ¹⁴ And do everything with love.

¹⁵ You know that Stephanas and his household were the first of the harvest of believers in Greece,^[b] and they are spending their lives in service to God’s people. I urge you, dear brothers and sisters,^[c] 16 to submit to them and others like them who serve with such devotion. ¹⁷ I am very glad that Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus have come here. They have been providing the help you weren’t here to give me. ¹⁸ They have been a wonderful encouragement to me, as they have been to you. You must show your appreciation to all who serve so well.

Paul’s Final Greetings

¹⁹ The churches here in the province of Asia^[d] send greetings in the Lord, as do Aquila and Priscilla^[e] and all the others who gather in their home for church meetings. ²⁰ All the brothers and sisters here send greetings to you. Greet each other with a sacred kiss.

²¹ HERE IS MY GREETING IN MY OWN HANDWRITING—PAUL.

²² If anyone does not love the Lord, that person is cursed. Our Lord, come!^[f]

²³ May the grace of the Lord Jesus be with you.

²⁴ My love to all of you in Christ Jesus.^[g]

Footnotes:
a. 16:13 Greek Be men.
b. 16:15a Greek in Achaia, the southern region of the Greek peninsula.
c. 16:15b Greek brothers; also in 16:20.
d. 16:19a Asia was a Roman province in what is now western Turkey.
e. 16:19b Greek Prisca.
f. 16:22 From Aramaic, Marana tha. Some manuscripts read Maran atha, “Our Lord has come.”
g. 16:24 Some manuscripts add Amen.

¹³ Watch, stand fast in the faith, be bold like men, and be strong. ¹⁴ Let all that you do be done with love.

¹⁵ You know the house of Stephanas, that it is the first fruits of Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to the ministry of the saints. So I ask you, brothers, ¹⁶ that you submit yourselves to such people, and to everyone who helps and labors with us. ¹⁷ I am happy about the arrival of Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus, for they supplied what was lacking on your part. ¹⁸ They have refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore acknowledge these men.

Final Request and Greetings

¹⁹ The churches of Asia greet you. Aquila and Priscilla greet you heartily in the Lord, with the church that is in their house. ²⁰ All the brothers greet you. Greet one another with a holy kiss.

²¹ I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand.

²² If anyone does not love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accursed. Come, O Lord!

²³ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

²⁴ My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.

149 Praise ye the Lord. Sing unto the Lord a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints.
² Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.
³ Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp.
⁴ For the Lord taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation.
⁵ Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds.
⁶ Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand;
⁷ To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people;
⁸ To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron;
⁹ To execute upon them the judgment written: this honour have all his saints. Praise ye the Lord.

Praise to God for His Salvation and Judgment

149 Praise^[a] the Lord!

Sing to the Lord a new song,
And His praise in the assembly of saints.

² Let Israel rejoice in their Maker;
Let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.
³ Let them praise His name with the dance;
Let them sing praises to Him with the timbrel and harp.
⁴ For the Lord takes pleasure in His people;
He will beautify the ^[b]humble with salvation.

⁵ Let the saints be joyful in glory;
Let them sing aloud on their beds.
⁶ Let the high praises of God be in their mouth,
And a two-edged sword in their hand,
⁷ To execute vengeance on the nations,
And punishments on the peoples;
⁸ To bind their kings with chains,
And their nobles with fetters of iron;
⁹ To execute on them the written judgment—
This honor have all His saints.

^[c]Praise the Lord!

Footnotes:
a. Psalm 149:1 Heb. Hallelujah
b. Psalm 149:4 meek
c. Psalm 149:9 Heb. Hallelujah

¹ Praise the Lord.^[a]

Sing to the Lord a new song,
    his praise in the assembly of his faithful people.

² Let Israel rejoice in their Maker;
    let the people of Zion be glad in their King.
³ Let them praise his name with dancing
    and make music to him with timbrel and harp.
⁴ For the Lord takes delight in his people;
    he crowns the humble with victory.
⁵ Let his faithful people rejoice in this honor
    and sing for joy on their beds.

⁶ May the praise of God be in their mouths
    and a double-edged sword in their hands,
⁷ to inflict vengeance on the nations
    and punishment on the peoples,
⁸ to bind their kings with fetters,
    their nobles with shackles of iron,
⁹ to carry out the sentence written against them—
    this is the glory of all his faithful people.

Praise the Lord.

Footnotes:
a. Psalm 149:1 Hebrew Hallelu Yah; also in verse 9

¹ Praise the Lord!

Sing to the Lord a new song.
    Sing his praises in the assembly of the faithful.

² O Israel, rejoice in your Maker.
    O people of Jerusalem,^[a] exult in your King.
³ Praise his name with dancing,
    accompanied by tambourine and harp.
⁴ For the Lord delights in his people;
    he crowns the humble with victory.
⁵ Let the faithful rejoice that he honors them.
    Let them sing for joy as they lie on their beds.

⁶ Let the praises of God be in their mouths,
    and a sharp sword in their hands—
⁷ to execute vengeance on the nations
    and punishment on the peoples,
⁸ to bind their kings with shackles
    and their leaders with iron chains,
⁹ to execute the judgment written against them.
    This is the glorious privilege of his faithful ones.

Praise the Lord!

Footnotes:
a. 149:2 Hebrew Zion.

¹ Praise the Lord!

Sing unto the Lord a new song,
    and His praise in the assembly of the godly ones.

² Let Israel rejoice in its Maker;
    let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.
³ Let them praise His name with dancing;
    let them sing praises unto Him with the tambourine and harp.
⁴ For the Lord takes pleasure in His people;
    He will beautify the meek with salvation.
⁵ Let the godly ones be joyful in glory;
    let them sing for joy on their beds.

⁶ Let the high praises of God be in their mouths,
    and two-edged swords in their hands,
⁷ to execute vengeance on the nations,
    and punishments on the peoples;
⁸ to bind their kings with chains,
    and their nobles with shackles of iron;
⁹ to execute upon them the written judgment;
    this is honor for all His godly ones.

Praise the Lord!