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1 Corinthians 15:1-34 GW
(1) Brothers and sisters, I'm making known to you the Good News [Sacred Secret] which I already told you, which you received, and on which your faith is based. (2) In addition, you are saved by this Good News if you hold on to the doctrine [Christ's teachings] I taught you, unless you believed it without thinking it over. (3) I passed on to you the most important points of doctrine that I had received: Christ died to take away our sins as the Scriptures predicted. (4) He was placed in a tomb. He was brought back to life on the third day as the Scriptures predicted. (5) He appeared to Cephas. Next he appeared to the twelve apostles. (6) Then he appeared to more than 500 believers at one time. (Most of these people are still living, but some have died.) (7) Next he appeared to James. Then he appeared to all the apostles. (8) Last of all, he also appeared to me. I'm like an aborted fetus who was given life. (9) I'm the least of the apostles. I'm not even fit to be called an apostle because I persecuted God's church. (10) But God's kindness made me what I am, and that kindness was not wasted on me. Instead, I worked harder than all the others. It was not I who did it, but God's kindness was with me. (11) So, whether it was I or someone else, this is the message we brought you, and this is what you believed. (12) If we have told you that Christ has been brought back to life, how can some of you say that coming back from the dead is impossible? (13) If the dead can't be brought back to life, then Christ hasn't come back to life. (14) If Christ hasn't come back to life, our message has no meaning and your faith also has no meaning. (15) In addition, we are obviously witnesses who lied about God because we testified that he brought Christ back to life. But if it's true that the dead don't come back to life, then God didn't bring Christ back to life. (16) Certainly, if the dead don't come back to life, then Christ hasn't come back to life either. (17) If Christ hasn't come back to life, your faith is worthless and sin still has you in its power. (18) Then those who have died as believers in Christ no longer exist. (19) If Christ is our hope in this life only, we deserve more pity than any other people. (20) But now Christ has come back from the dead. He is the very first person of those who have died to come back to life.*1 (21) Since a man brought death, a man also brought life back from death. (22) As everyone dies because of Adam, so also everyone will be made alive because of Christ. (23) This will happen to each person in his own turn. Christ is the first, then at his coming, those who belong to him will be made alive. (24) Then the end will come. Christ will hand over the kingdom to God the Father as he destroys every ruler, authority, and power. (25) Christ must rule until God has put every enemy under his control. (26) The last enemy he will destroy is death. (27) Clearly, God has put everything under Christ's authority. When God says that everything has been put under Christ's authority, this clearly excludes God, since God has put everything under Christ's authority. (28) But when God puts everything under Christ's authority, the Son will put himself under God's authority, since God had put everything under the Son's authority. Then God will be in control of everything. (29) However, people are baptized because the dead will come back to life. [Baptism is a sign of their faith in the resurrection.] What will they do? If the dead can't come back to life, why do people get baptized as if they can come back to life? (30) Why are we constantly putting ourselves in danger? (31) Brothers and sisters, I swear to you on my pride in you which Christ Jesus our Lord has given me: I face death every day. (32) If I have fought with wild animals in Ephesus, what have I gained according to the way people look at things? If the dead are not raised, "Let's eat and drink because tomorrow we're going to die!" (33) Don't let anyone deceive you. Associating with bad people will ruin decent people. (34) Come back to the right point of view, and stop sinning. Some people don't know anything about God. You should be ashamed of yourselves [that you have not taught them].
*1 (Verse 20 says Christ is the first person resurrected from the dead. Jesus is not, of course, the first literal resurrection. Jesus himself resurrected Lazarus (John 11:38-44) and there are other resurrections mentioned before Christ was even born. (2 Kings 13:20-21) All those people resurrected before Christ died again along with their contemporaries. Jesus is, however, the "first one truly resurrected" in the sense of never having to die again, or, with the prospect of eternal life connected with their resurrection.)
1 Corinthians 15:1-34 CEV
(1) My friends, I want you to remember the message that I preached and that you believed and trusted. (2) You will be saved by this message, if you hold firmly to it. But if you don't, your faith was all for nothing. (3) I told you the most important part of the message exactly as it was told to me. That part is: Christ died for our sins, as the Scriptures say. (4) He was buried, and three days later he was raised to life, as the Scriptures say. (5) Christ appeared to Peter, then to the twelve. (6) After this, he appeared to more than five hundred other followers. Most of them are still alive, but some have died. (7) He also appeared to James, and then to all of the apostles. (8) Finally, he appeared to me, even though I am like someone who was born at the wrong time. (9) I am the least important of all the apostles. In fact, I caused so much trouble for God's church that I don't even deserve to be called an apostle. (10) But God was kind! He made me what I am, and his wonderful kindness wasn't wasted. I worked much harder than any of the other apostles, although it was really God's kindness at work and not me. (11) But it doesn't matter if I preached or if they preached. All of you believed the message just the same. (12) If we preach that Christ was raised from death, how can some of you say that the dead will not be raised to life? (13) If they won't be raised to life, Christ himself wasn't raised to life. (14) And if Christ wasn't raised to life, our message is worthless, and so is your faith. (15) If the dead won't be raised to life, we have told lies about God by saying that he raised Christ to life, when he really did not. (16) So if the dead won't be raised to life, Christ wasn't raised to life. (17) Unless Christ was raised to life, your faith is useless, and you are still living in your sins. (18) And those people who died after putting their faith in him are completely lost. (19) If our hope in Christ is good only for this life, we are worse off than anyone else. (20) But Christ has been raised to life! And he makes us certain that others will also be raised to life. (21) Just as we will die because of Adam, we will be raised to life because of Christ. (22) Adam brought death to all of us, and Christ will bring life to all of us. (23) But we must each wait our turn. Christ was the first to be raised to life, and his people will be raised to life when he returns. (24) Then after Christ has destroyed all powers and forces, the end will come, and he will give the kingdom to God the Father. (25) Christ will rule until he puts all his enemies under his power, (26) and the last enemy he destroys will be death. (27) When the Scriptures say that he will put everything under his power, they don't include God. It was God who put everything under the power of Christ. (28) After everything is under the power of God's Son, he will put himself under the power of God, who put everything under his Son's power. Then God will mean everything to everyone. (29) If the dead are not going to be raised to life, what will people do who are being baptized for them? Why are they being baptized for those dead people? (30) And why do we always risk our lives (31) and face death every day? The pride that I have in you because of Christ Jesus our Lord is what makes me say this. (32) What do you think I gained by fighting wild animals in Ephesus? If the dead are not raised to life, "Let's eat and drink. Tomorrow we die." (33) Don't fool yourselves. Bad friends will destroy you. (34) Be sensible and stop sinning. You should be embarrassed that some people still don't know about God.
1 Corinthians 15:1-34 ASV
(1) Now I make known unto you brethren, the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye received, wherein also ye stand,
(2) by which also ye are saved, if ye hold fast the word which I preached unto you, except ye believed in vain.
(3) For I delivered unto you first of all that which also I received: that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
(4) and that he was buried; and that he hath been raised on the third day according to the scriptures;
(5) and that he appeared to Cephas; then to the twelve;
(6) then he appeared to above five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain until now, but some are fallen asleep;
(7) then he appeared to James; then to all the apostles;
(8) and last of all, as to the child untimely born, he appeared to me also.
(9) For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
(10) But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not found vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
(11) Whether then it be I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed.
(12) Now if Christ is preached that he hath been raised from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?
(13) But if there is no resurrection of the dead, neither hath Christ been raised:
(14) and if Christ hath not been raised, then is our preaching vain, your faith also is vain.
(15) Yea, we are found false witnesses of God; because we witnessed of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead are not raised.
(16) For if the dead are not raised, neither hath Christ been raised:
(17) and if Christ hath not been raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.
(18) Then they also that are fallen asleep in Christ have perished.
(19) If we have only hoped in Christ in this life, we are of all men most pitiable.
(20) But now hath Christ been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of them that are asleep.*1
(21) For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.
(22) For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.
(23) But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; then they that are Christ's, at his coming.
(24) Then cometh the end, when he shall deliver up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have abolished all rule and all authority and power.
(25) For he must reign, till he hath put all his enemies under his feet.
(26) The last enemy that shall be abolished is death.
(27) For, He put all things in subjection under his feet. But when he saith, All things are put in subjection, it is evident that he is excepted who did subject all things unto him.
(28) And when all things have been subjected unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subjected to him that did subject all things unto him, that God may be all in all.
(29) Else what shall they do that are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why then are they baptized for them?
(30) Why do we also stand in jeopardy every hour?
(31) I protest by that glorifying in you, brethren, which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.
(32) If after the manner of men I fought with beasts at Ephesus, what doth it profit me? If the dead are not raised, let us eat and drink, for to-morrow we die.
(33) Be not deceived: Evil companionships corrupt good morals.
(34) Awake to soberness righteously, and sin not; for some have no knowledge of God: I speak this to move you to shame.
1 Corinthians 15:1-34 ALT
(1) Now I make known to you*, brothers [and sisters], the Gospel, the one I have proclaimed to you*, which also you* received, in which also you* have stood,
(2) through which also you* are saved, if you* hold fast to which word [or, that word which] I proclaimed the Gospel to you*, unless you* believed thoughtlessly [or, without reason].
(3) For I handed down [or, delivered] to you* first what also I received, that Christ died on behalf of our sins according to the Scriptures,
(4) and that He was buried, and that He had been raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,
(5) and that He appeared to Cephas [i.e. Peter], then to the twelve.
(6) Afterwards, He appeared to over five hundred brothers [and sisters] at once, of whom the greater part remain until now, but some also fell asleep [fig., have died].
(7) Afterwards, He appeared to James, then to all the apostles.
(8) But last of all, as though to the [one] untimely born, He appeared also to me.
(9) For _I_ am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the Assembly of God.
(10) But by God's grace I am what I am; and His grace, the [one] towards me, did not become in emptiness [fig. was not without purpose], _but_ I labored more than they all, yet not _I_, _but_ the grace of God, the [one] with me.
(11) So whether I or they, in this manner we preach, and in this manner you* believed.
(12) But if Christ is preached that He has been raised from [the] dead, how are some among you* saying that [there] is no resurrection of [the] dead?
(13) But if [there] is no resurrection of [the] dead, neither has Christ been raised.
(14) But if Christ has not been raised, in that case, our proclamation [is] empty [fig. without purpose], and your* faith also [is] empty.
(15) And we also are found [to be] false witnesses of God, because we testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise if indeed [the] dead are not raised.
(16) For if [the] dead are not raised, neither has Christ been raised.
(17) But if Christ has not been raised, your* faith is futile [or, worthless]; you* are still in your* sins.
(18) In that case, also, the ones having fallen asleep [fig., having died] in Christ perished.
(19) If in this life only we have been hoping [or, have been having confident expectation] in Christ, we are of all people most pitiful!
(20) But now Christ has been raised from [the] dead! He became the first-fruits of the ones having fallen asleep [fig., having died].*1
(21) For since by means of a man death [came], also by means of a Man [is] [the] resurrection of [the] dead.
(22) For just as in Adam all die, in the same way also in Christ all will be given life.
(23) But each in his own order, Christ [the] first-fruit, afterwards the [ones] of Christ at His Arrival.
(24) Then the end, when He shall hand over the kingdom to God, even [the] Father, when He shall abolish every ruler and every authority and power.
(25) For it is necessary [for] Him to be reigning until He shall put all the enemies under His feet.
(26) [The] last enemy being abolished [is] death.
(27) For 'He put all [things] in subjection under His feet.' But when He says that all [things] have been subjected, [it is] evident that [this is] except for the One subjecting all the [things] to Him. [Psalm 8:6]
(28) Now when all the [things] are subjected to Him, then the Son also Himself will be subjected to One having subjected all the [things] to Him, so that God shall be the all in all.
(29) Otherwise, what will they do, the ones being baptized on behalf of the dead, if [the] dead are not raised at all? Why are they also baptized on behalf of the dead?
(30) Why also are _we_ in danger every hour?
(31) [I affirm] by my boasting [or, pride] in you* which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily [or, every day I am in danger of death].
(32) If according to [or, If from] human [motives] I fought with wild beasts in Ephesus, what [is] the benefit to me if the dead are not raised? "Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!" [Isaiah 22:13]
(33) Stop being led astray [fig., being deceived]: "Evil associations corrupt good habits [or, morals]" [i.e. a quote from the Grecian philosopher Menander].
(34) Become sober rightly [fig., Come to your* senses as you* ought], and stop sinning; for some have a lack of knowledge of God. I say [this] to your* shame.
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You will note the reference windows often include more than one translation of the Bible. The reason is to strive to gain the best possible understanding of the original Hebrew and Greek. Since we don't speak those languages, we rely on those who have come before and made the effort to translate those texts into English for us. Considering several translations gives the benefit of the understanding of several translation committees or individuals.
The Translations we quote are:
ALT - Analytical Literal Translation
ASV - American Standard Version (by the American revision committee in 1897).
Darby - 1889 Darby Bible
DRB - 1899 Douay-Rheims Bible
BBE - 1965 Bible in Basic English
LITV - Literal Translation of the Holy Bible
KJV - King James Version
MKJV - Modern King James Version
NWT - New World Translation
Webster - 1833 Webster Bible
RV - Revised Version
YLT - Young's Literal Translation