16. For if the dead aren’t raised, neither has Messiah been raised.
17. If Messiah has not been raised, your faith is vain; you are still in your sins.
18. Then they also who are fallen asleep in Messiah have perished.
19. If we have only hoped in Messiah in this life, we are of all men most pitiable.
20. But now Messiah has been raised from the dead. He became the first fruits of those who are asleep.