JMNT(i)
14 So if Christ has not been awakened and raised up, our message which we preach [is] consequently empty and without content – and your [other MSS: our] faith and trust [is] empty and vacuous,
15 and further, we [thus] continue to be found being false witnesses, from and concerning God, because we bring testimony and evidence down from God that He awakened and raised up the Christ – Whom, consequently, He did not raise up, if indeed dead ones are not really being habitually (or: periodically; one after another) awakened and raised up!
16 For if dead ones are not habitually (or: presently, one after another; periodically) being awakened and raised up, neither has Christ been awakened and raised up.
17 And if Christ has not been awakened and raised up, your faith and trust exists being devoid of success and results – you are still within the midst of and in union with your mistakes, failures and sins!
18 Consequently, also, those falling asleep within the midst of and in union with Christ lose themselves (or: loose-away and destroy themselves).
19 If we are (or: exist being) folks having placed an expectation in Christ within this life only, we are, of all humanity (or: mankind; people), the ones most to be pitied and in need of mercy and compassion.
20 Yet now – at this present time! – Christ is roused and awake from having been raised up from out of the midst of dead people: a Firstfruit (= the first of the harvest; the Sheaf Offering, signally the beginning of the harvest [Lev. 23:10]) of those having fallen asleep, and are yet sleeping (reposing).