³ For what I received^(A) I passed on to you^(B) as of first importance^[a]: that Christ died for our sins^(C) according to the Scriptures,^{(D) 4} that he was buried,^(E) that he was raised^(F) on the third day^(G) according to the Scriptures,^{(H) 5} and that he appeared to Cephas,^[b](I) and then to the Twelve.^(J)

¹⁴ And if Christ has not been raised,^(A) 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.^(B) 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.^(C)

⁵² in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound,^(A) the dead^(B) will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. ⁵³ For the perishable^(C) must clothe itself with the imperishable,^(D) and the mortal with immortality. ⁵⁴ When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”^[a](E)

⁵⁶ The sting of death is sin,^(G) and the power of sin is the law.^{(H) 57} But thanks be to God!^(I) He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.^(J)