for ifwe live,we livefor the Lord,orifwe die,we diefor the Lord;thereforewhetherwe liveordie,we are the Lord's.
"NowHe is not the Godof the deadbut of the living;for allliveto Him."
NowthisHe said,signifyingby what kindof deathhe would glorifyGod.And when He had spokenthis,He saidto him, "FollowMe!"
"For David,after he had servedthe purposeof Godin his owngeneration,fell asleep,and was laidamonghis fathersand underwentdecay;
"But I do not considermy lifeof anyaccountas dearto myself,sothat I may finishmy courseand the ministrywhichI receivedfrom the LordJesus,to testify solemnlyof the gospelof the graceof God.
ThenPaulanswered,"Whatare you doing,weepingand breakingmy heart?For I amreadynot onlyto be bound,but evento dieat Jerusalemfor the nameof the LordJesus."
But eachin his ownorder:Christthe first fruits,afterthat thosewhoare Christ'sat His coming,
accordingto my earnest expectationand hope,that I will not be put to shamein anything,but [that] with allboldness,Christwill evennow,as always,be exaltedin my body,whetherby lifeorby death.
But evenifI am being poured out as a drink offeringupon the sacrificeand serviceof your faith,I rejoiceand share my joywith you all.
becausehe came closeto deathfor the workof Christ,riskinghis lifeto completewhat was deficientin your serviceto me.
who diedfor us, sothat whetherwe are awakeorasleep,we will livetogetherwith Him.
And I hearda voicefrom heaven,saying,"Write,Blessedare the deadwho diein the Lordfrom nowon!'" "Yes,"saysthe Spirit,"sothat they may restfrom their labors,for their deedsfollowwith them."
