The Risen Christ, Our Hope^(A)

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, ^(B)then Christ is not risen. ¹⁴ And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. ¹⁵ Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because ^(C)we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up—if in fact the dead do not rise. ¹⁶ For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. ¹⁷ And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; ^(D)you are still in your sins! ¹⁸ Then also those who have ^[a]fallen ^(E)asleep in Christ have perished. ^19 (F)If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable.

The Last Enemy Destroyed

²⁰ But now ^(G)Christ is risen from the dead, and has become ^(H)the firstfruits of those who have ^[b]fallen asleep. ²¹ For ^(I)since by man came death, ^(J)by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. ²² For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall ^(K)be made alive. ²³ But ^(L)each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming. ²⁴ Then comes the end, when He delivers ^(M)the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. ²⁵ For He must reign ^(N)till He has put all enemies under His feet.

From Suffering to Glory

¹⁸ For I consider that ^(A)the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. ¹⁹ For ^(B)the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. ²⁰ For ^(C)the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; ²¹ because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of ^[a]corruption into the glorious ^(D)liberty of the children of God. ²² For we know that the whole creation ^(E)groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. ²³ Not only that, but we also who have ^(F)the firstfruits of the Spirit, ^(G)even we ourselves groan ^(H)within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the ^(I)redemption of our body.