3  For I delivered to you, in the first place, what also I had received, that Christ died for our sins, according to the scriptures; 4  and that he was buried; and that he was raised the third day, according to the scriptures; 5  and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6  Then he appeared to above five hundred brethren at once, of whom the most remain until now, but some also have fallen asleep. 7  Then he appeared to James; then to all the apostles; 8  and last of all, as to an abortion, he appeared to me also. 9  For I am the least of the apostles, who am not fit to be called apostle, because I have persecuted the assembly of God. 10  But by God’s grace I am what I am; and his grace, which was towards me, has not been vain; but I have laboured more abundantly than they all, but not I, but the grace of God which was with me. 11  Whether, therefore, I or they, thus we preach, and thus ye have believed.

12  Now if Christ is preached that he is raised from among the dead, how say some among you that there is not a resurrection of those that are dead? 13  But if there is not a resurrection of those that are dead, neither is Christ raised: 14  but if Christ is not raised, then, indeed, vain also is our preaching, and vain also your faith. 15  And we are found also false witnesses of God; for we have witnessed concerning God that he raised the Christ, whom he has not raised if indeed those that are dead are not raised. 16  For if those that are dead are not raised, neither is Christ raised; 17  but if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. 18  Then indeed also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19  If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are the most miserable of all men.

20  (But now Christ is raised from among the dead, first-fruits of those fallen asleep. 21  For since by man came death, by man also resurrection of those that are dead. 22  For as in the Adam all die, thus also in the Christ all shall be made alive. 23  But each in his own rank: the first-fruits, Christ; then those that are the Christ’s at his coming.