The Resurrection of the Dead

¹² But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead,^(A) how can some of you say that there is no resurrection^(B) of the dead?^{(C) 13} If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. ¹⁴ And if Christ has not been raised,^(D) 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.^(E) 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.^{(F) 18} Then those also who have fallen asleep^(G) in Christ are lost. ¹⁹ If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.^(H)

²⁰ But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead,^(I) the firstfruits^(J) of those who have fallen asleep.^{(K) 21} For since death came through a man,^(L) the resurrection of the dead^(M) comes also through a man. ²² For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.^{(N) 23} But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits;^(O) then, when he comes,^(P) those who belong to him.^{(Q) 24} Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom^(R) to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power.^{(S) 25} For he must reign^(T) until he has put all his enemies under his feet.^{(U) 26} The last enemy to be destroyed is death.^{(V) 27} For he “has put everything under his feet.”^[a](W) Now when it says that “everything” has been put under him, it is clear that this does not include God himself, who put everything under Christ.^{(X) 28} When he has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him,^(Y) so that God may be all in all.^(Z)

¹³ It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.”^[a](A) Since we have that same spirit of^[b] faith,^(B) we also believe and therefore speak, ¹⁴ because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead^(C) will also raise us with Jesus^(D) and present us with you to himself.^{(E) 15} All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving^(F) to overflow to the glory of God.

¹⁶ Therefore we do not lose heart.^(G) Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly^(H) we are being renewed^(I) day by day. ¹⁷ For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.^{(J) 18} So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen,^(K) since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

⁴ Therefore, among God’s churches we boast^(A) about your perseverance and faith^(B) in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring.^(C)

⁵ All this is evidence^(D) that God’s judgment is right, and as a result you will be counted worthy^(E) of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering. ⁶ God is just:^(F) He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you^{(G) 7} and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven^(H) in blazing fire^(I) with his powerful angels.^{(J) 8} He will punish^(K) those who do not know God^(L) and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.^{(M) 9} They will be punished with everlasting destruction^(N) and shut out from the presence of the Lord^(O) and from the glory of his might^{(P) 10} on the day^(Q) he comes to be glorified^(R) in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed. This includes you, because you believed our testimony to you.^(S)

¹³ while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing^(A) of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,^(B)