¹⁸ Those, then, who have fallen asleep in Christ^(A) have also perished. ¹⁹ If we have put our hope in Christ for this life only, we should be pitied more than anyone.

Christ’s Resurrection Guarantees Ours

²⁰ But as it is, Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits^(B) of those who have fallen asleep.