American Standard Version of 1901
Versliste
and {Or, may}might deliver all them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
But I am in a strait betwixt the two, having the desire to depart and be with Christ; for it is very far better:
henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give to me at that day; and not to me only, but also to all them that have loved his appearing.
But we would not have you ignorant, brethren, concerning them that fall asleep; that ye sorrow not, even as the rest, who have no hope.
Now there was a certain rich man, and he was clothed in purple and fine linen, {Or, living in mirth and splendor every day}faring sumptuously every day:
For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
{Or, But if to live in the flesh be my lot, this is the fruit of my work: and what I shall choose I know not.}But if to live in the flesh, — if {Greek: this is for me fruit of work.}this shall bring fruit from my work, then {Or, what shall I choose?}what I shall choose I know not.
But I am in a strait betwixt the two, having the desire to depart and be with Christ; for it is very far better:
yet to abide in the flesh is more needful for your sake.
whither as a forerunner Jesus entered for us, having become a high priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.
Now there was a certain rich man, and he was clothed in purple and fine linen, {Or, living in mirth and splendor every day}faring sumptuously every day:
then we that are alive, that are left, shall together with them be caught up in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
Wherefore {Or, exhort chapter 5:11.}comfort one another with these words.
I will ransom them from the {Hebrew: hand.}power of Sheol; I will redeem them from death: O death, {Or, I will be}where are thy plagues? O Sheol, {Or, I will be}where is thy destruction? repentance shall be hid from mine eyes.
{Hosea 13:14.}O death, where is thy victory? O death, where is thy sting?
that he might present the church to himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, These that are arrayed in the white robes, who are they, and whence came they?
Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are upon the earth.