²⁰ But in fact ^(A)Christ has been raised from the dead, ^(B)the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.

²³ But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then ^(A)at his coming ^(B)those who belong to Christ.

^23 (A)that the Christ ^(B)must suffer and that, ^(C)by being the first ^(D)to rise from the dead, ^(E)he would proclaim ^(F)light both to our people and to the Gentiles.”

⁵ and from Jesus Christ ^(A)the faithful witness, ^(B)the firstborn of the dead, and ^(C)the ruler of kings on earth.

To ^(D)him who loves us and ^(E)has freed us from our sins by his blood

Born Again to a Living Hope

^3 (A)Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! ^(B)According to his great mercy, ^(C)he has caused us to be born again to a living hope ^(D)through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

¹⁸ And ^(A)he is the head of the body, the church. He is ^(B)the beginning, ^(C)the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.

¹¹ If the Spirit of ^(A)him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus^[a] from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies ^(B)through his Spirit who dwells in you.

⁶ Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep.