⁹ For I am the least of the apostles^(A) and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted^(B) the church of God.^{(C) 10} But by the grace^(D) of God I am what I am, and his grace to me^(E) was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them^(F)—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.^{(G) 11} Whether, then, it is I or they,^(H) this is what we preach, and this is what you believed.

The Resurrection of the Dead

¹² But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead,^(I) how can some of you say that there is no resurrection^(J) of the dead?^{(K) 13} If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. ¹⁴ And if Christ has not been raised,^(L) our preaching is useless and so is your faith. ¹⁵ More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead.^(M) But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. ¹⁶ For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. ¹⁷ And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.^{(N) 18} Then those also who have fallen asleep^(O) in Christ are lost. ¹⁹ If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.^(P)

²⁰ But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead,^(Q) the firstfruits^(R) of those who have fallen asleep.^(S)