48. All people belong to the earth. They are like that first man of earth. But those who belong to heaven are like that man of heaven.
49. We were made like that man of earth, so we will also be made like that man of heaven.
50. I tell you this, brothers and sisters: Our bodies of flesh and blood cannot have a part in God’s kingdom. Something that will ruin cannot have a part in something that never ruins.
51. But listen, I tell you this secret: We will not all die, but we will all be changed.
52. It will only take the time of a second. We will be changed as quickly as an eye blinks. This will happen when the last trumpet blows. The trumpet will blow and those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we will all be changed.
53. This body that ruins must clothe itself with something that will never ruin. And this body that dies must clothe itself with something that will never die.
54. So this body that ruins will clothe itself with that which never ruins. And this body that dies will clothe itself with that which never dies. When this happens, the Scriptures will be made true: “Death is swallowed in victory.” Isaiah 25:8
55. “O death, where is your victory? Where is your power to hurt?” Hosea 13:14
56. Death’s power to hurt is sin, and the power of sin is the law.
57. But we thank God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!
58. So, my dear brothers and sisters, stand strong. Don’t let anything change you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord. You know that your work in the Lord is never wasted.