46. We see that the one with a spiritual body did not come first. He came after the one who had a physical body.
47. The first man was made from the dust of the earth, but the second man came from heaven.
48. Everyone on earth has a body like the body of the one who was made from the dust of the earth. And everyone in heaven has a body like the body of the one who came from heaven.
49. Just as we are like the one who was made out of earth, we will be like the one who came from heaven.
50. My friends, I want you to know that our bodies of flesh and blood will decay. This means that they cannot share in God's kingdom, which lasts for ever.
51. I will explain a mystery to you. Not every one of us will die, but we will all be changed.
52. It will happen suddenly, quicker than the blink of an eye. At the sound of the last trumpet the dead will be raised. We will all be changed, so that we will never die again.
53. Our dead and decaying bodies will be changed into bodies that won't die or decay.
54. The bodies we now have are weak and can die. But they will be changed into bodies that are eternal. Then the Scriptures will come true,“Death has lost the battle!
55. Where is its victory?Where is its sting?”
56. Sin is what gives death its sting, and the Law is the power behind sin.
57. But thank God for letting our Lord Jesus Christ give us the victory!
58. My dear friends, stand firm and don't be shaken. Always keep busy working for the Lord. You know that everything you do for him is worthwhile.