17
And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins!
18
Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.
19
If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable.
20
But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
21
For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead.
22
For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive.
23
But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ's at His coming.
24
Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power.
25
For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet.
26
The last enemy that will be destroyed is death.
27
For "He has put all things under His feet." But when He says "all things are put under Him," it is evident that He who put all things under Him is excepted.
28
Now when all things are made subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all.
29
Otherwise, what will they do who are baptized for the dead, if the dead do not rise at all? Why then are they baptized for the dead?
30
And why do we stand in jeopardy every hour?
31
I affirm, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.
32
If, in the manner of men, I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantage is it to me? If the dead do not rise, "Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!"
33
Do not be deceived: "Evil company corrupts good habits."
34
Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame.
35
But someone will say, "How are the dead raised up? And with what body do they come?"
36
Foolish one, what you sow is not made alive unless it dies.
37
And what you sow, you do not sow that body that shall be, but mere grain--perhaps wheat or some other grain.