[1] Now I declare to you, brothers, the gospel which I preached to you,
which also you received, in which you also stand, [2] by which also you are
saved, if you hold firmly the word which I preached to you -- unless you
believed in vain. [3] For I delivered to you first of all that which also I
received: that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, [4]
that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the
Scriptures, [5] and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. [6]
Then he appeared to over five hundred brothers at once, most of whom remain
until now, but some have also fallen asleep. [7] Then he appeared to James,
then to all the apostles, [8] and last of all, as to the child born at the
wrong time, he appeared to me also. [9] For I am the least of the apostles,
who is not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the
assembly of God. [10] But by the grace of God I am what I am. His grace
which was bestowed on me was not found vain, but I worked more than all of
them; yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. [11] Whether then
it is I or they, so we preach, and so you believed. [12] Now if Christ is
preached, that he has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say
that there is no resurrection of the dead? [13] But if there is no
resurrection of the dead, neither has Christ been raised. [14] If Christ
has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain, and your faith also is
in vain. [15] Yes, we are found false witnesses of God, because we
testified about God that he raised up Christ, whom he didn`t raise up, if
it is so that the dead are not raised. [16] For if the dead aren`t raised,
neither has Christ been raised. [17] If Christ has not been raised, your
faith is vain; you are still in your sins. [18] Then they also who are
fallen asleep in Christ have perished. [19] If we have only hoped in Christ
in this life, we are of all men most pitiable. [20] But now Christ has been
raised from the dead. He became the first fruits of those who are asleep.
[21] For since death came by man, the resurrection of the dead also came by
man. [22] For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive.
[23] But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, then those who are
Christ`s, at his coming. [24] Then the end comes, when he will deliver up
the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he will have abolished all rule
and all authority and power. [25] For he must reign until he has put all
his enemies under his feet. [26] The last enemy that will be abolished is
death. [27] For, "He put all things in subjection under his feet." But when
he says, "All things are put in subjection," it is evident that he is
excepted who subjected all things to him. [28] When all things have been
subjected to him, then the Son will also himself be subjected to him who
subjected all things to him, that God may be all in all. [29] Or else what
will they do who are baptized for the dead? If the dead aren`t raised at
all, why then are they baptized for the dead? [30] Why do we also stand in
jeopardy every hour? [31] I die daily, by your boasting which I have in
Christ Jesus our Lord. [32] If I fought with animals at Ephesus like men,
what does it profit me? If the dead are not raised, then "let us eat and
drink, for tomorrow we die." [33] Don`t be deceived! "Evil companionships
corrupt good morals." [34] Wake up righteously, and don`t sin, for some
have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame. [35] But some one will
say, "How are the dead raised?" and, "With what kind of body do they come?"
[36] You foolish one, that which you yourself sow is not made alive unless
it dies. [37] That which you sow, you don`t sow the body that will be, but
a bare grain, maybe of wheat, or of some other kind. [38] But God gives it
a body even as it pleased him, and to each seed a body of its own. [39] All
flesh is not the same flesh, but there is one flesh of men, another flesh
of animals, another of fish, and another of birds. [40] There are also
celestial bodies, and terrestrial bodies; but the glory of the celestial
differs from that of the terrestrial. [41] There is one glory of the sun,
another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star
differs from another star in glory. [42] So also is the resurrection of the
dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption. [43] It is
sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is
raised in power. [44] It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual
body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. [45] So
also it is written, "The first man, Adam, became a living soul." The last
Adam became a life-giving spirit. [46] However that which is spiritual
isn`t first, but that which is natural, then that which is spiritual. [47]
The first man is of the earth, made of dust. The second man is the Lord
from heaven. [48] As is the one made of dust, such are those who are also
made of dust; and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.
[49] As we have borne the image of those made of dust, let`s also bear the
image of the heavenly. [50] Now I say this, brothers, that flesh and blood
can`t inherit the kingdom of God; neither does corruption inherit
incorruption. [51] Behold, I tell you a mystery. We will not all sleep, but
we will all be changed, [52] in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at
the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised
incorruptible, and we will be changed. [53] For this corruptible must put
on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. [54] But when
this corruptible will have put on incorruption, and this mortal will have
put on immortality, then what is written will happen: "Death is
swallowed up in victory." [55] "Death, where is your sting? Hades, where is
your victory?" [56] The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the
law. [57] But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord
Jesus Christ. [58] Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable,
always abounding in the Lord`s work, because you know that your labor is
not in vain in the Lord.