continue: by the which also ye are saved, I do you to wit after what manner I preached unto you, if ye keep it, except ye have believed in vain.
For first of all I delivered unto you that which I received: how that Christ died for our sins, agreeing to the scriptures: and that he was buried, and that he arose again the third day according to the scriptures: and that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve, After that he was seen of more than five hundred brethren at once: of which many remain unto this day, and many are fallen asleep. After that appeared he to Iames, then to all the Apostles.
And last of all he was seen of me, as of one that was born out of due time. For I am the least of all the Apostles, which am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the congregation of God: But by the faveour of God I am that I am. And his faveour which is in me was not in vain: but I laboured more abundantly than they all, not I, but the faveour of God which is with me. Whether it were I or they, so have we preach, and so have ye believed.
If Christ be preached how that he rose from death: how say some that are among you, that there is no resurrection of the dead? If there be no rising again of death: then is Christ not risen. If Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also in vain. Yee, and we are found false witnesses of God. For we have testified against God how that he raised up Christ, whom he raised not up, if it be so that the dead rise not up again. For if the dead rise not again, then is Christ not risen again. If it be so that Christ rose not, then is your faith in vain, and yet are ye in your sins. And they which are fallen asleep in Christ, are perished. If in this life only we believe on Christ, then are we of all men the miserablest.
Now is Christ risen from death, and is become the first fruits of them that slept. For by a man came death, and by a man came resurrection of death. For as by Adam all die: even so by Christ, shall all be made alive, and every man in his own order: The first is Christ, then they that are Christi's at his coming. Then cometh the end, when he hath delivered up the kingdom to God the father, when he hath put down all rule, authority, and power. For he must rule till he have put all his enemies under his feet.
The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith, all things are put under him, it is manifest, that he is excepted, which did put all things under him. When all things are subdued unto him: then shall the son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all things. Other else what do they which are baptised over the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they baptised over the dead? And why stand we in jeopardy every hour? by our rejoicing which I have in Christ Iesu our lord, I die daily. That I have fought with beasts at Ephesus after the manner of men, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not again? Let us eat and drink, tomorrow we shall die. Be not deceived: malicious speakings corrupt good manners. Awake truly out of sleep, and sin not. For some have not the knowledge of God. I speak this unto your rebuke.