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Scripture: Ecclesiastes 2:18-25 1 Corinthians 15:50-58
18 I hated all my work that I labored at under the sun(A) because I must leave it to the one who comes after me.(B) 19 And who knows whether he will be wise or a fool?(C) Yet he will take over all my work that I labored at skillfully under the sun. This too is futile. 20 So I began to give myself over[a] to despair concerning all my work that I had labored at under the sun. 21 When there is a person whose work was done with wisdom, knowledge, and skill,(D) and he must give his portion to a person who has not worked for it, this too is futile and a great wrong. 22 For what does a person get with all his work and all his efforts(E) that he labors at under the sun? 23 For all his days are filled with grief, and his occupation is sorrowful;(F) even at night, his mind does not rest.(G) This too is futile.
24 There is nothing better for a person than to eat, drink, and enjoy[b][c] his work.(H) I have seen that even this is from God’s hand,(I) 25 because who can eat and who can enjoy life[d] apart from him?[e]
Read full chapter50 What I am saying, brothers and sisters, is this: Flesh(A) and blood(B) cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor can corruption inherit incorruption. 51 Listen, I am telling you a mystery: We will not all fall asleep, but we will all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet.(C) For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we will be changed. 53 For this corruptible body must be clothed(D) with incorruptibility,(E) and this mortal body must be clothed with immortality. 54 When this corruptible body is clothed with incorruptibility, and this mortal body is clothed with immortality, then the saying that is written will take place:
Death has been swallowed up(F) in victory.[a](G)
55 Where, death, is your victory?
Where, death, is your sting?[b](H)
56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin(I) is the law.(J) 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory(K) through our Lord Jesus Christ!
58 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the Lord’s work,(L) because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
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