¹⁷ For this reason the Father loves Me, because I ^(A)lay down My life so that I may take it back. ^18 (B)No one has taken it away from Me, but I ^(C)lay it down on My own. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it back. ^(D)This commandment I received from My Father.”

The Mystery of Resurrection

⁵⁰ Now I say this, brothers and sisters, that ^(A)flesh and blood cannot ^(B)inherit the kingdom of God; nor does ^[a]the perishable inherit ^[b](C)the imperishable. ⁵¹ Behold, I am telling you a ^[c](D)mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be ^(E)changed, ⁵² in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for ^(F)the trumpet will sound, and ^(G)the dead will be raised ^[d]imperishable, and ^(H)we will be changed. ⁵³ For this ^[e]perishable must put on ^[f](I)the imperishable, and this ^(J)mortal must put on immortality. ⁵⁴ But when this ^[g]perishable puts on ^[h]the imperishable, and this mortal puts on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written: “^(K)Death has been swallowed up in victory. ^55 (L)Where, O Death, is your victory? Where, O Death, is your sting?” ⁵⁶ The sting of ^(M)death is sin, and ^(N)the power of sin is the Law; ⁵⁷ but ^(O)thanks be to God, who gives us the ^(P)victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

^58 (Q)Therefore, my beloved brothers and sisters, be firm, immovable, always excelling in ^(R)the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.