The Last Enemy Destroyed

²⁰ But now ^(A)Christ is risen from the dead, and has become ^(B)the firstfruits of those who have ^[a]fallen asleep.

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

To Him ^(E)who ^[a]loved us ^(F)and washed us from our sins in His own blood,

²³ But ^(A)each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming.

^23 (A)that the Christ would suffer, ^(B)that He would be the first to rise from the dead, and ^(C)would proclaim light to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles.”

A Heavenly Inheritance

^3 (A)Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who ^(B)according to His abundant mercy ^(C)has begotten us 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, who is the beginning, ^(B)the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.

¹¹ But if the Spirit of ^(A)Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, ^(B)He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies ^[a]through His Spirit who dwells in you.

⁶ After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have ^[a]fallen asleep.