Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)
35 But someone will ask, `How can dead people be raised? What kind of body will they have when they come back from death?'
36 What foolish questions! The seed you put in the ground must die before it can come to life.
37 You do not put a grown-up plant in the ground. You put in a seed, such as corn, wheat, rice, or something like that.
38 God gives the seed the body he wants it to have. He gives a different kind of body to every kind of seed.
42 So it is with the body that is raised from death. When it is put in the ground it is a body that dies. When it rises from death, it will never die again.
43 When it is put in the ground, it is not fine. When it rises, it is very fine. When it is put in the ground it has no strength. When it rises it is strong.
44 When it is put in the ground it is only a body for this world. When it rises it is a body for the spirit. If there is a body for this world, then there is also a body for the spirit.
45 The holy writings say, `The first man, Adam, was of this world! The last Adam [Christ] is a Spirit who gives life.'
46 The body for the spirit does not come first. The body for this world comes first. Then comes the body for the spirit.
47 The first man came from earth. He was made from the dust of the earth. The second Adam is the Lord from heaven.
48 Those who are made of earth are like the man made of dust. Those who are for heaven are like the man from heaven.
49 We were made like the man of dust but we shall look like the man from heaven.
50 Now I tell you, my brothers, our bodies of flesh and blood can have no place in the kingdom where God rules. A body which will die can have no room in the kingdom of God where people will never die. 51,
27 `But I say to you who hear, love your enemies. Do good things to those who hate you.
28 Bless those who use bad words about you. Ask God to do good to those who trouble you.
29 `If someone hits you on one side of your face, turn the other side also. `If someone takes your coat, let him have your shirt also.
30 `Give to every one who begs you for something.
31 `Do to other people what you want them to do to you.
32 If you love those who love you, what good is there in that? Even bad people love those who love them.
33 If you do good things to those who do good things to you, what good is there in that? Bad people do the same.
34 If you lend to those who will give to you, what good is there in that? Even bad people lend to bad people, if they think they will get the same from them.
35 `Love your enemies. Do good things. Lend to people and do not look to get anything back. You will be paid well. You will be sons of the Highest One. He is kind to those who do not thank him and to those who are bad.
36 So be kind like your Father.'
37 `Do not judge others and you will not be judged. Do not punish others, and you will not be punished. Let others go free and God will let you go free.
38 Give to people and they will give to you. They will fill your cup, press it down, shake it, and let it run over. That is what they will give to you. How much you give to others is how much God will give to you.'
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