³ For ^(A)I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died ^(B)for our sins ^(C)in accordance with the Scriptures, ⁴ that he was buried, that he was raised ^(D)on the third day ^(E)in accordance with the Scriptures, ⁵ and that ^(F)he appeared to Cephas, then ^(G)to the twelve. ⁶ Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. ⁷ Then he appeared to ^(H)James, then ^(I)to all the apostles. ⁸ Last of all, as to one untimely born, ^(J)he appeared also to me.

²⁰ But in fact ^(A)Christ has been raised from the dead, ^(B)the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. ²¹ For as ^(C)by a man came death, ^(D)by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. ²² For ^(E)as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.

Mystery and Victory

⁵⁰ I tell you this, brothers: ^(A)flesh and blood ^(B)cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. ⁵¹ Behold! I tell you a mystery. ^(C)We shall not all sleep, ^(D)but we shall all be changed, ⁵² in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For ^(E)the trumpet will sound, and ^(F)the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. ⁵³ For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and ^(G)this mortal body must put on immortality. ⁵⁴ When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written:

⁵⁶ The sting of death is sin, and ^(J)the power of sin is the law. ⁵⁷ But thanks be to God, ^(K)who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

^58 (L)Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in ^(M)the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord ^(N)your labor is not in vain.