²⁹ If the dead are never raised, what will people do who are being baptized for the dead [^Cit is unclear what this practice was or whether Paul approves or disapproves]? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people being baptized for them?

³⁰ And what about us? Why do we put ourselves in danger every hour? ³¹ I ·die [face death] every day. ·That is true, brothers and sisters, just as it is true that I brag about you [^L(I swear) by my boasting in you, brothers (and sisters), which I have] in Christ Jesus our Lord. ³² If I fought wild animals in Ephesus [^Cprobably a metaphor for human opponents, though possibly beasts in the arena (Acts 19; 2 Cor. 1:8–11; 2 Tim. 4:16–18)] ·only with human hopes [or from a human point of view; ^Laccording to man], I have gained nothing. If the dead are not raised, “Let us eat and drink, because tomorrow we will die [Is. 22:13; 56:12].”

³³ Do not be ·fooled [deceived; misled]: “Bad ·friends [company] will ruin good ·habits [or character; morals; ^Ca quote from the Greek poet Menander (c. 342–291 bc)].” ³⁴ ·Come back to your right way of thinking [Come to your senses; or Sober up as you should] and stop sinning. Some of you ·do not know [or are ignorant about] God—I say this to shame you.