Let Your Glory Be over All the Earth

To the choirmaster: according to (A)Do Not Destroy. A (B)Miktam[a] of David, when he fled from Saul, in (C)the cave.

57 (D)Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me,
    for in you my soul (E)takes refuge;
in (F)the shadow of your wings I will take refuge,
    (G)till the storms of destruction pass by.
I cry out to God Most High,
    to God who (H)fulfills his purpose for me.
(I)He will send from heaven and save me;
    he will put to shame (J)him who tramples on me. Selah
(K)God will send out (L)his steadfast love and his faithfulness!

My soul is in the midst of (M)lions;
    I lie down amid fiery beasts—
the children of man, whose (N)teeth are spears and arrows,
    whose (O)tongues are sharp swords.

(P)Be exalted, O God, above the heavens!
    Let your glory be over all the earth!

They set (Q)a net for my steps;
    my soul was (R)bowed down.
They (S)dug a pit in my way,
    but they have fallen into it themselves. Selah
(T)My heart is (U)steadfast, O God,
    my heart is steadfast!
I will sing and make melody!
    (V)Awake, (W)my glory![b]
Awake, (X)O harp and lyre!
    I will awake the dawn!
I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples;
    I will sing praises to you among the nations.
10 For your (Y)steadfast love is great to the heavens,
    your faithfulness to the clouds.

11 (Z)Be exalted, O God, above the heavens!
    Let your glory be over all the earth!

God Who Judges the Earth

To the choirmaster: according to (AA)Do Not Destroy. A (AB)Miktam[c] of David.

58 Do you indeed decree what is right, you gods?[d]
    Do you judge the children of man uprightly?
No, in your hearts you devise wrongs;
    your hands (AC)deal out violence on earth.

The wicked are (AD)estranged from the womb;
    they go astray from birth, speaking lies.
(AE)They have venom like the venom of a serpent,
    like the deaf adder that stops its ear,
so that it (AF)does not hear the voice of charmers
    or of the cunning enchanter.

O God, (AG)break the teeth in their mouths;
    tear out the fangs of the young lions, O Lord!
Let them (AH)vanish like water that runs away;
    when he (AI)aims his arrows, let them be blunted.
Let them be like the snail (AJ)that dissolves into slime,
    like (AK)the stillborn child who never sees the sun.
Sooner than your pots can feel the heat of (AL)thorns,
    whether green or ablaze, may he (AM)sweep them away![e]

10 (AN)The righteous will rejoice when he sees the vengeance;
    he will (AO)bathe his feet in the blood of the wicked.
11 Mankind will say, “Surely there is (AP)a reward for the righteous;
    surely there is a God who (AQ)judges on earth.”

Deliver Me from My Enemies

To the choirmaster: according to (AR)Do Not Destroy. A (AS)Miktam[f] of David, (AT)when Saul sent men to watch his house in order to kill him.

59 (AU)Deliver me from my enemies, O my God;
    (AV)protect me from those who (AW)rise up against me;
deliver me from (AX)those who work evil,
    and save me from (AY)bloodthirsty men.

For behold, they (AZ)lie in wait for my life;
    fierce men (BA)stir up strife against me.
(BB)For no transgression or sin of mine, O Lord,
    for no fault of mine, they run and make ready.
(BC)Awake, come to meet me, and see!
    You, (BD)Lord God of hosts, are God of Israel.
Rouse yourself to punish all the nations;
    spare none of those who treacherously plot evil. Selah

Each evening they (BE)come back,
    howling like dogs
    and prowling about the city.
There they are, (BF)bellowing with their mouths
    with (BG)swords in their lips—
    for (BH)“Who,” they think,[g] “will hear us?”

But you, O Lord, (BI)laugh at them;
    you hold all the nations in derision.
O my Strength, I will watch for you,
    for you, O God, are (BJ)my fortress.
10 (BK)My God in his steadfast love[h] (BL)will meet me;
    God will let me (BM)look in triumph on my enemies.

11 Kill them not, lest my people forget;
    make them totter[i] by your power and (BN)bring them down,
    O Lord, our (BO)shield!
12 For (BP)the sin of their mouths, the words of their lips,
    let them be trapped in their pride.
For the cursing and lies that they utter,
13     (BQ)consume them in wrath;
    consume them till they are no more,
that they may (BR)know that God rules over Jacob
    to (BS)the ends of the earth. Selah

14 (BT)Each evening they come back,
    howling like dogs
    and prowling about the city.
15 They (BU)wander about for food
    and growl if they do not get their fill.

16 But I will sing of your strength;
    I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning.
For you have been to me (BV)a fortress
    and (BW)a refuge in (BX)the day of my distress.
17 O my Strength, I will sing praises to you,
    for you, O God, (BY)are my fortress,
    (BZ)the God who shows me steadfast love.

He Will Tread Down Our Foes

To the choirmaster: according to (CA)Shushan Eduth. A (CB)Miktam[j] of David; (CC)for instruction; when he (CD)strove with Aram-naharaim and with Aram-zobah, and when Joab on his return struck down twelve thousand of Edom in the Valley of Salt.

60 O God, (CE)you have rejected us, (CF)broken our defenses;
    you have been angry; (CG)oh, restore us.
You have made the land to quake; you have torn it open;
    (CH)repair its breaches, for it totters.
(CI)You have made your people see hard things;
    (CJ)you have given us (CK)wine to drink that made us stagger.

You have set up (CL)a banner for those who fear you,
    that they may flee to it (CM)from the bow.[k] Selah
(CN)That your (CO)beloved ones may be delivered,
    give salvation by your right hand and answer us!

God has spoken (CP)in his holiness:[l]
    “With exultation (CQ)I will divide up (CR)Shechem
    and portion out the Vale of (CS)Succoth.
(CT)Gilead is mine; Manasseh is mine;
    (CU)Ephraim is (CV)my helmet;
    Judah is my (CW)scepter.
(CX)Moab is my washbasin;
    upon Edom I (CY)cast my shoe;
    over (CZ)Philistia I shout in triumph.”[m]

Who will bring me to the fortified city?
    (DA)Who will lead me to Edom?
10 Have you not (DB)rejected us, O God?
    You (DC)do not go forth, O God, with our armies.
11 Oh, grant us help against the foe,
    for (DD)vain is the salvation of man!
12 With God we shall (DE)do valiantly;
    it is he who will (DF)tread down our foes.

Lead Me to the Rock

To the choirmaster: with (DG)stringed instruments. Of David.

61 Hear my cry, O God,
    (DH)listen to my prayer;
from the end of the earth I call to you
    when my heart is (DI)faint.
Lead me to (DJ)the rock
    that is higher than I,
for you have been (DK)my refuge,
    a strong (DL)tower against the enemy.

Let me (DM)dwell in your tent forever!
    Let me take refuge under (DN)the shelter of your wings! Selah
For you, O God, have heard my vows;
    you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.

(DO)Prolong (DP)the life of the king;
    may his years endure to all generations!
May he be enthroned forever before God;
    appoint (DQ)steadfast love and faithfulness to watch over him!

So will I ever sing praises to your name,
    as I (DR)perform my vows day after day.

My Soul Waits for God Alone

To the choirmaster: according to (DS)Jeduthun. A Psalm of David.

62 For God alone (DT)my soul (DU)waits in silence;
    from him comes my salvation.
(DV)He alone is my rock and my salvation,
    my (DW)fortress; (DX)I shall not be greatly shaken.

How long will all of you attack a man
    to batter him,
    like (DY)a leaning wall, a tottering fence?
They only plan to thrust him down from his (DZ)high position.
    They take pleasure in falsehood.
(EA)They bless with their mouths,
    but inwardly they curse. Selah

For God alone, O (EB)my soul, wait in silence,
    for my hope is from him.
(EC)He only is my rock and my salvation,
    my fortress; I shall not be shaken.
On God rests my (ED)salvation and my glory;
    my mighty rock, (EE)my refuge is God.

(EF)Trust in him at all times, O people;
    (EG)pour out your heart before him;
    God is (EH)a refuge for us. Selah

(EI)Those of low estate are but a breath;
    those of high estate (EJ)are a delusion;
in the balances they go up;
    (EK)they are together lighter than a breath.
10 Put no trust in extortion;
    (EL)set no vain hopes on robbery;
    (EM)if riches increase, set not your heart on them.

11 (EN)Once God has spoken;
    (EO)twice have I heard this:
that (EP)power belongs to God,
12     and that to you, O Lord, (EQ)belongs steadfast love.
For you will (ER)render to a man
    according to his work.

My Soul Thirsts for You

A Psalm of David, (ES)when he was in the wilderness of Judah.

63 O God, you are my God; (ET)earnestly I seek you;
    (EU)my soul thirsts for you;
my flesh faints for you,
    as in (EV)a dry and weary land where there is no water.
So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary,
    beholding (EW)your power and glory.
Because your (EX)steadfast love is better than life,
    my lips will praise you.
So I will bless you (EY)as long as I live;
    in your (EZ)name I will (FA)lift up my hands.

My soul will be (FB)satisfied as with fat and rich food,
    and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips,
when I remember you (FC)upon my bed,
    and meditate on you in (FD)the watches of the night;
for you have been my help,
    and in (FE)the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy.
My soul (FF)clings to you;
    your right hand (FG)upholds me.

But those who seek to destroy my life
    (FH)shall go down into (FI)the depths of the earth;
10 they shall be given over to the power of the sword;
    they shall be a portion for jackals.
11 But (FJ)the king shall rejoice in God;
    all who (FK)swear by him shall exult,
    (FL)for the mouths of (FM)liars will be stopped.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 57:1 Probably a musical or liturgical term
  2. Psalm 57:8 Or my whole being
  3. Psalm 58:1 Probably a musical or liturgical term
  4. Psalm 58:1 Or you mighty lords (by revocalization; Hebrew in silence)
  5. Psalm 58:9 The meaning of the Hebrew verse is uncertain
  6. Psalm 59:1 Probably a musical or liturgical term
  7. Psalm 59:7 Hebrew lacks they think
  8. Psalm 59:10 Or The God who shows me steadfast love
  9. Psalm 59:11 Or wander
  10. Psalm 60:1 Probably musical or liturgical terms
  11. Psalm 60:4 Or that it may be displayed because of truth
  12. Psalm 60:6 Or sanctuary
  13. Psalm 60:8 Revocalization (compare Psalm 108:10); Masoretic Text over me, O Philistia, shout in triumph

Psalm 57[a](A)

For the director of music. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” Of David. A miktam.[b] When he had fled from Saul into the cave.(B)

Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me,
    for in you I take refuge.(C)
I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings(D)
    until the disaster has passed.(E)

I cry out to God Most High,
    to God, who vindicates me.(F)
He sends from heaven and saves me,(G)
    rebuking those who hotly pursue me—[c](H)
    God sends forth his love and his faithfulness.(I)

I am in the midst of lions;(J)
    I am forced to dwell among ravenous beasts—
men whose teeth are spears and arrows,
    whose tongues are sharp swords.(K)

Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
    let your glory be over all the earth.(L)

They spread a net for my feet(M)
    I was bowed down(N) in distress.
They dug a pit(O) in my path—
    but they have fallen into it themselves.(P)

My heart, O God, is steadfast,
    my heart is steadfast;(Q)
    I will sing and make music.
Awake, my soul!
    Awake, harp and lyre!(R)
    I will awaken the dawn.

I will praise you, Lord, among the nations;
    I will sing of you among the peoples.
10 For great is your love, reaching to the heavens;
    your faithfulness reaches to the skies.(S)

11 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;(T)
    let your glory be over all the earth.(U)

Psalm 58[d]

For the director of music. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” Of David. A miktam.[e]

Do you rulers indeed speak justly?(V)
    Do you judge people with equity?
No, in your heart you devise injustice,(W)
    and your hands mete out violence on the earth.(X)

Even from birth the wicked go astray;
    from the womb they are wayward, spreading lies.
Their venom is like the venom of a snake,(Y)
    like that of a cobra that has stopped its ears,
that will not heed(Z) the tune of the charmer,(AA)
    however skillful the enchanter may be.

Break the teeth in their mouths, O God;(AB)
    Lord, tear out the fangs of those lions!(AC)
Let them vanish like water that flows away;(AD)
    when they draw the bow, let their arrows fall short.(AE)
May they be like a slug that melts away as it moves along,(AF)
    like a stillborn child(AG) that never sees the sun.

Before your pots can feel the heat of the thorns(AH)
    whether they be green or dry—the wicked will be swept away.[f](AI)
10 The righteous will be glad(AJ) when they are avenged,(AK)
    when they dip their feet in the blood of the wicked.(AL)
11 Then people will say,
    “Surely the righteous still are rewarded;(AM)
    surely there is a God who judges the earth.”(AN)

Psalm 59[g]

For the director of music. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” Of David. A miktam.[h] When Saul had sent men to watch David’s house(AO) in order to kill him.

Deliver me from my enemies, O God;(AP)
    be my fortress against those who are attacking me.(AQ)
Deliver me from evildoers(AR)
    and save me from those who are after my blood.(AS)

See how they lie in wait for me!
    Fierce men conspire(AT) against me
    for no offense or sin of mine, Lord.
I have done no wrong,(AU) yet they are ready to attack me.(AV)
    Arise to help me; look on my plight!(AW)
You, Lord God Almighty,
    you who are the God of Israel,(AX)
rouse yourself(AY) to punish all the nations;(AZ)
    show no mercy to wicked traitors.[i](BA)

They return at evening,
    snarling like dogs,(BB)
    and prowl about the city.
See what they spew from their mouths(BC)
    the words from their lips are sharp as swords,(BD)
    and they think, “Who can hear us?”(BE)
But you laugh at them, Lord;(BF)
    you scoff at all those nations.(BG)

You are my strength,(BH) I watch for you;
    you, God, are my fortress,(BI)
10     my God on whom I can rely.

God will go before me
    and will let me gloat over those who slander me.
11 But do not kill them, Lord our shield,[j](BJ)
    or my people will forget.(BK)
In your might uproot them
    and bring them down.(BL)
12 For the sins of their mouths,(BM)
    for the words of their lips,(BN)
    let them be caught in their pride.(BO)
For the curses and lies they utter,
13     consume them in your wrath,
    consume them till they are no more.(BP)
Then it will be known to the ends of the earth
    that God rules over Jacob.(BQ)

14 They return at evening,
    snarling like dogs,
    and prowl about the city.
15 They wander about for food(BR)
    and howl if not satisfied.
16 But I will sing(BS) of your strength,(BT)
    in the morning(BU) I will sing of your love;(BV)
for you are my fortress,(BW)
    my refuge in times of trouble.(BX)

17 You are my strength, I sing praise to you;
    you, God, are my fortress,
    my God on whom I can rely.(BY)

Psalm 60[k](BZ)

For the director of music. To the tune of “The Lily of the Covenant.” A miktam[l] of David. For teaching. When he fought Aram Naharaim[m] and Aram Zobah,[n] and when Joab returned and struck down twelve thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt.(CA)

You have rejected us,(CB) God, and burst upon us;
    you have been angry(CC)—now restore us!(CD)
You have shaken the land(CE) and torn it open;
    mend its fractures,(CF) for it is quaking.
You have shown your people desperate times;(CG)
    you have given us wine that makes us stagger.(CH)
But for those who fear you, you have raised a banner(CI)
    to be unfurled against the bow.[o]

Save us and help us with your right hand,(CJ)
    that those you love(CK) may be delivered.
God has spoken from his sanctuary:
    “In triumph I will parcel out Shechem(CL)
    and measure off the Valley of Sukkoth.(CM)
Gilead(CN) is mine, and Manasseh is mine;
    Ephraim(CO) is my helmet,
    Judah(CP) is my scepter.(CQ)
Moab is my washbasin,
    on Edom I toss my sandal;
    over Philistia I shout in triumph.(CR)

Who will bring me to the fortified city?
    Who will lead me to Edom?
10 Is it not you, God, you who have now rejected us
    and no longer go out with our armies?(CS)
11 Give us aid against the enemy,
    for human help is worthless.(CT)
12 With God we will gain the victory,
    and he will trample down our enemies.(CU)

Psalm 61[p]

For the director of music. With stringed instruments. Of David.

Hear my cry, O God;(CV)
    listen to my prayer.(CW)

From the ends of the earth I call to you,
    I call as my heart grows faint;(CX)
    lead me to the rock(CY) that is higher than I.
For you have been my refuge,(CZ)
    a strong tower against the foe.(DA)

I long to dwell(DB) in your tent forever
    and take refuge in the shelter of your wings.[q](DC)
For you, God, have heard my vows;(DD)
    you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.(DE)

Increase the days of the king’s life,(DF)
    his years for many generations.(DG)
May he be enthroned in God’s presence forever;(DH)
    appoint your love and faithfulness to protect him.(DI)

Then I will ever sing in praise of your name(DJ)
    and fulfill my vows day after day.(DK)

Psalm 62[r]

For the director of music. For Jeduthun. A psalm of David.

Truly my soul finds rest(DL) in God;(DM)
    my salvation comes from him.
Truly he is my rock(DN) and my salvation;(DO)
    he is my fortress,(DP) I will never be shaken.(DQ)

How long will you assault me?
    Would all of you throw me down—
    this leaning wall,(DR) this tottering fence?
Surely they intend to topple me
    from my lofty place;
    they take delight in lies.
With their mouths they bless,
    but in their hearts they curse.[s](DS)

Yes, my soul, find rest in God;(DT)
    my hope comes from him.
Truly he is my rock and my salvation;
    he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
My salvation and my honor depend on God[t];
    he is my mighty rock, my refuge.(DU)
Trust in him at all times, you people;(DV)
    pour out your hearts to him,(DW)
    for God is our refuge.

Surely the lowborn(DX) are but a breath,(DY)
    the highborn are but a lie.
If weighed on a balance,(DZ) they are nothing;
    together they are only a breath.
10 Do not trust in extortion(EA)
    or put vain hope in stolen goods;(EB)
though your riches increase,
    do not set your heart on them.(EC)

11 One thing God has spoken,
    two things I have heard:
“Power belongs to you, God,(ED)
12     and with you, Lord, is unfailing love”;(EE)
and, “You reward everyone
    according to what they have done.”(EF)

Psalm 63[u]

A psalm of David. When he was in the Desert of Judah.

You, God, are my God,
    earnestly I seek you;
I thirst for you,(EG)
    my whole being longs for you,
in a dry and parched land
    where there is no water.(EH)

I have seen you in the sanctuary(EI)
    and beheld your power and your glory.(EJ)
Because your love is better than life,(EK)
    my lips will glorify you.
I will praise you as long as I live,(EL)
    and in your name I will lift up my hands.(EM)
I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods;(EN)
    with singing lips my mouth will praise you.

On my bed I remember you;
    I think of you through the watches of the night.(EO)
Because you are my help,(EP)
    I sing in the shadow of your wings.(EQ)
I cling to you;(ER)
    your right hand upholds me.(ES)

Those who want to kill me will be destroyed;(ET)
    they will go down to the depths of the earth.(EU)
10 They will be given over to the sword(EV)
    and become food for jackals.(EW)

11 But the king will rejoice in God;
    all who swear by God will glory in him,(EX)
    while the mouths of liars will be silenced.(EY)

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 57:1 In Hebrew texts 57:1-11 is numbered 57:2-12.
  2. Psalm 57:1 Title: Probably a literary or musical term
  3. Psalm 57:3 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verse 6.
  4. Psalm 58:1 In Hebrew texts 58:1-11 is numbered 58:2-12.
  5. Psalm 58:1 Title: Probably a literary or musical term
  6. Psalm 58:9 The meaning of the Hebrew for this verse is uncertain.
  7. Psalm 59:1 In Hebrew texts 59:1-17 is numbered 59:2-18.
  8. Psalm 59:1 Title: Probably a literary or musical term
  9. Psalm 59:5 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verse 13.
  10. Psalm 59:11 Or sovereign
  11. Psalm 60:1 In Hebrew texts 60:1-12 is numbered 60:3-14.
  12. Psalm 60:1 Title: Probably a literary or musical term
  13. Psalm 60:1 Title: That is, Arameans of Northwest Mesopotamia
  14. Psalm 60:1 Title: That is, Arameans of central Syria
  15. Psalm 60:4 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here.
  16. Psalm 61:1 In Hebrew texts 61:1-8 is numbered 61:2-9.
  17. Psalm 61:4 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here.
  18. Psalm 62:1 In Hebrew texts 62:1-12 is numbered 62:2-13.
  19. Psalm 62:4 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verse 8.
  20. Psalm 62:7 Or / God Most High is my salvation and my honor
  21. Psalm 63:1 In Hebrew texts 63:1-11 is numbered 63:2-12.

The Resurrection of Christ

15 Now I would remind you, brothers,[a] of the gospel (A)I preached to you, which you received, (B)in which you stand, and by which (C)you are being saved, if you (D)hold fast to the word I preached to you—(E)unless you believed in vain.

For (F)I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died (G)for our sins (H)in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised (I)on the third day (J)in accordance with the Scriptures, and that (K)he appeared to Cephas, then (L)to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to (M)James, then (N)to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, (O)he appeared also to me. For (P)I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because (Q)I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, (R)I worked harder than any of them, (S)though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. 11 Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.

The Resurrection of the Dead

12 Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, (T)how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, (U)then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. 15 We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that (V)he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and (W)you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who (X)have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If in Christ we have hope[b] in this life only, (Y)we are of all people most to be pitied.

20 But in fact (Z)Christ has been raised from the dead, (AA)the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For as (AB)by a man came death, (AC)by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For (AD)as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then (AE)at his coming (AF)those who belong to Christ. 24 Then comes the end, when he delivers (AG)the kingdom to God the Father after destroying (AH)every rule and every authority and power. 25 For he must reign (AI)until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be (AJ)destroyed is death. 27 For (AK)“God[c] has put all things in subjection under his feet.” But when it says, “all things are put in subjection,” it is plain that he is excepted who put all things in subjection under him. 28 When (AL)all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him who put all things in subjection under him, that (AM)God may be all in all.

29 Otherwise, what do people mean by being baptized on behalf of the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized on their behalf? 30 Why are we (AN)in danger every hour? 31 I protest, brothers, by (AO)my pride in you, which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, (AP)I die every day! 32 What do I gain if, humanly speaking, (AQ)I fought with beasts at Ephesus? If the dead are not raised, (AR)“Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.” 33 (AS)Do not be deceived: (AT)“Bad company ruins good morals.”[d] 34 (AU)Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not go on sinning. For (AV)some have no knowledge of God. (AW)I say this to your shame.

The Resurrection Body

35 But someone will ask, (AX)“How are the dead raised? With what kind of body do they come?” 36 You foolish person! (AY)What you sow does not come to life unless it dies. 37 And what you sow is not the body that is to be, but a bare kernel, perhaps of wheat or of some other grain. 38 But God gives it a body as he has chosen, and to each kind of seed its own body. 39 For not all flesh is the same, but there is one kind for humans, another for animals, another for birds, and another for fish. 40 There are heavenly bodies and earthly bodies, but the glory of the heavenly is of one kind, and the glory of the earthly is of another. 41 There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for star differs from star in glory.

42 (AZ)So is it with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable. 43 It is sown in dishonor; (BA)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 Thus it is written, (BB)“The first man Adam became a living being”;[e] (BC)the last Adam became a (BD)life-giving spirit. 46 But it is not the spiritual that is first but the natural, and then the spiritual. 47 (BE)The first man was from the earth, (BF)a man of dust; (BG)the second man is from heaven. 48 As was the man of dust, so also are those who are of the dust, and as is the man of heaven, (BH)so also are those who are of heaven. 49 Just (BI)as we have borne the image of the man of dust, (BJ)we shall[f] also bear the image of the man of heaven.

Mystery and Victory

50 I tell you this, brothers: (BK)flesh and blood (BL)cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 51 Behold! I tell you a mystery. (BM)We shall not all sleep, (BN)but we shall all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For (BO)the trumpet will sound, and (BP)the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. 53 For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and (BQ)this mortal body must put on immortality. 54 When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written:

(BR)“Death is swallowed up in victory.”
55 (BS)“O death, where is your victory?
    O death, where is your sting?”

56 The sting of death is sin, and (BT)the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, (BU)who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58 (BV)Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in (BW)the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord (BX)your labor is not in vain.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 15:1 Or brothers and sisters; also verses 6, 31, 50, 58
  2. 1 Corinthians 15:19 Or we have hoped
  3. 1 Corinthians 15:27 Greek he
  4. 1 Corinthians 15:33 Probably from Menander's comedy Thais
  5. 1 Corinthians 15:45 Greek a living soul
  6. 1 Corinthians 15:49 Some manuscripts let us

The Resurrection of Christ

15 Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel(A) I preached to you,(B) which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved,(C) if you hold firmly(D) to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.

For what I received(E) I passed on to you(F) as of first importance[a]: that Christ died for our sins(G) according to the Scriptures,(H) that he was buried,(I) that he was raised(J) on the third day(K) according to the Scriptures,(L) and that he appeared to Cephas,[b](M) and then to the Twelve.(N) After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep.(O) Then he appeared to James,(P) then to all the apostles,(Q) and last of all he appeared to me also,(R) as to one abnormally born.

For I am the least of the apostles(S) and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted(T) the church of God.(U) 10 But by the grace(V) of God I am what I am, and his grace to me(W) was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them(X)—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.(Y) 11 Whether, then, it is I or they,(Z) this is what we preach, and this is what you believed.

The Resurrection of the Dead

12 But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead,(AA) how can some of you say that there is no resurrection(AB) of the dead?(AC) 13 If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised,(AD) our preaching is useless and so is your faith. 15 More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead.(AE) But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.(AF) 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep(AG) in Christ are lost. 19 If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.(AH)

20 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead,(AI) the firstfruits(AJ) of those who have fallen asleep.(AK) 21 For since death came through a man,(AL) the resurrection of the dead(AM) comes also through a man. 22 For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.(AN) 23 But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits;(AO) then, when he comes,(AP) those who belong to him.(AQ) 24 Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom(AR) to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power.(AS) 25 For he must reign(AT) until he has put all his enemies under his feet.(AU) 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death.(AV) 27 For he “has put everything under his feet.”[c](AW) Now when it says that “everything” has been put under him, it is clear that this does not include God himself, who put everything under Christ.(AX) 28 When he has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him,(AY) so that God may be all in all.(AZ)

29 Now if there is no resurrection, what will those do who are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized for them? 30 And as for us, why do we endanger ourselves every hour?(BA) 31 I face death every day(BB)—yes, just as surely as I boast about you in Christ Jesus our Lord. 32 If I fought wild beasts(BC) in Ephesus(BD) with no more than human hopes, what have I gained? If the dead are not raised,

“Let us eat and drink,
    for tomorrow we die.”[d](BE)

33 Do not be misled:(BF) “Bad company corrupts good character.”[e](BG) 34 Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning; for there are some who are ignorant of God(BH)—I say this to your shame.(BI)

The Resurrection Body

35 But someone will ask,(BJ) “How are the dead raised? With what kind of body will they come?”(BK) 36 How foolish!(BL) What you sow does not come to life unless it dies.(BM) 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.(BN) 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,(BO) the moon another and the stars another;(BP) and star differs from star in splendor.

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

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”[f];(BV) the last Adam,(BW) a life-giving spirit.(BX) 46 The spiritual did not come first, but the natural, and after that the spiritual.(BY) 47 The first man was of the dust of the earth;(BZ) the second man is of heaven.(CA) 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.(CB) 49 And just as we have borne the image of the earthly man,(CC) so shall we[g] bear the image of the heavenly man.(CD)

50 I declare to you, brothers and sisters, that flesh and blood(CE) cannot inherit the kingdom of God,(CF) nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.(CG) 51 Listen, I tell you a mystery:(CH) We will not all sleep,(CI) but we will all be changed(CJ) 52 in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound,(CK) the dead(CL) will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 53 For the perishable(CM) must clothe itself with the imperishable,(CN) 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.”[h](CO)

55 “Where, O death, is your victory?
    Where, O death, is your sting?”[i](CP)

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

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

Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 15:3 Or you at the first
  2. 1 Corinthians 15:5 That is, Peter
  3. 1 Corinthians 15:27 Psalm 8:6
  4. 1 Corinthians 15:32 Isaiah 22:13
  5. 1 Corinthians 15:33 From the Greek poet Menander
  6. 1 Corinthians 15:45 Gen. 2:7
  7. 1 Corinthians 15:49 Some early manuscripts so let us
  8. 1 Corinthians 15:54 Isaiah 25:8
  9. 1 Corinthians 15:55 Hosea 13:14