heavenly, so are they who by faith are made pure, [born again of the Spirit.]

49 And as from Adam we have inherited the natural man, so from Christ shall we bear the image of the heavenly.

50 But this I declare unto you: your present earthly bodies of flesh and blood cannot inherit [enter] the kingdom of God; neither can that which is corrupt inherit [possess] heaven.

51 Behold, I make you acquainted with this mystery: All will not be dead; but those who are dead, and those who remain alive, shall all be changed.

52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for on that day the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible [purified from all defect], and we [those who remain alive] shall be changed.

53 For this corruptible nature must become incorruptible; this mortal body must become fit for immortality.

54 And then shall come to pass the saying that is written, Isa. xxv. 8, Death is swallowed up in victory-victory of Christ, death no more.

55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

56 The sting of death is sin; and sin, inasmuch as it is a breach of God's law, is very sinful ;

57 But thanks be to God, we have a remedy, [victory over death and the grave,] through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast

in the faith, unmoveable by temptations, always abounding in the work of the Lord; forasmuch as, by faith in Christ, ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

CHAP. XVI.

1 NOW concerning the collection of alms for the brethren [holy Christians], as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye.

2 Upon the first day of the week, [the holy Sabbath, the day our blessed Lord rose from the dead,] let every one lay by him in store, [set apart] as God hath prospered him; that this be not to do when I come.

3 And when I come, I will send whomsoever you shall by your letter approve, to bring your liberality to Jerusalem.

4 And if it be thought proper that I go also, they shall go with me to witness the distribution.

5 Now I will come unto you when I shall have passed through Macedonia, for that is my road to you.

6 And it may be that I will abide, yea, and pass the winter with you, that ye may then [having benefited by my presence] bring me on my journey whithersoever I go.

7 For I will not now see you on my journey, but wait till I can tarry some time with you, if the Lord permit.

8 But I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost.

9 For a great opening for the effectual promulgation of the gospel is made there: yet there are many adversaries [opposers].

10 Now if Timothy come to you, take care that he may abide with you; and trouble not his ministry, though he be very young, for he worketh the work of the Lord, as I also do.

11 Let no man therefore despise him; but after he has made some stay with you, bring him on his journey in peace, that he may come unto me, for I look for him together with Erastus, who is gone to Corinth with him [Acts xix. 22], and Titus, the bearer of this letter, and others of 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.

13 I know there are factions [divisions] among you : but be on your guard; watch ye, stand fast in the faith acquit yourselves like men; be strong.

14 And though ye must oppose some, let all things be done with charity.

15 Brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, who were my first-fruits, my first converts in Achaia, and have given themselves to the benefiting of holy Christians) I beseech you,

16 Yield accordance unto them, and indeed unto every one that laboureth together with us, and helpeth

us.

17 I am glad of the coming of Stephanas, and Fortunatus, and Achaicus; for they have informed me of more particulars concerning you than your letter had done.

18 They have refreshed [cheered] both my spirit

and yours by their presence: acknowledge [honour] all such.

19 The churches of [Lesser] Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla [who at one time resided with you], and all who belong to the church [holy congregation] at their house, salute you.

20 All the brethren greet you.

another with the holy kiss of charity.

Greet ye one

21 I write this last part of the epistle [this salutation] with mine own hand.

22 If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accursed: the Lord will come.

23 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with

you.

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

The first Epistle to the Corinthians was written from Philippi, by Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus, and Timothy.

THE

SECOND EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS.

This Epistle was written by Paul the Apostle from Macedonia, one year after the first Epistle, about the year of our Lord 57. It was sent to Corinth by Titus.

It is written in the name of Paul and Timothy.

It is addressed not only to the Christians at Corinth, but to all those in Achaia.

It contains thirteen chapters.

CHAP. I.

1 PAUL, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother minister, writing unto the church of God [the assembly of Christians] which is at Corinth, and to all saints [holy Christians] which are in all Achaia :

2 Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;