1 Thessalonians 4:11-5:13

New International Version

¹¹ and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands,^(A) just as we told you, ¹² so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders^(B) and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.

Believers Who Have Died

¹³ Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed^(C) about those who sleep in death,^(D) so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope.^{(E) 14} For we believe that Jesus died and rose again,^(F) and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.^{(G) 15} According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord,^(H) will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep.^{(I) 16} For the Lord himself will come down from heaven,^(J) with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel^(K) and with the trumpet call of God,^(L) and the dead in Christ will rise first.^{(M) 17} After that, we who are still alive and are left^(N) will be caught up together with them in the clouds^(O) to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord^(P) forever. ¹⁸ Therefore encourage one another^(Q) with these words.

The Day of the Lord

5 Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates^(R) we do not need to write to you,^{(S) 2} for you know very well that the day of the Lord^(T) will come like a thief in the night.^{(U) 3} While people are saying, “Peace and safety,”^(V) destruction will come on them suddenly,^(W) as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.^(X)

⁴ But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness^(Y) so that this day should surprise you like a thief.^{(Z) 5} You are all children of the light^(AA) and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. ⁶ So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep,^(AB) but let us be awake^(AC) and sober.^{(AD) 7} For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night.^{(AE) 8} But since we belong to the day,^(AF) let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate,^(AG) and the hope of salvation^(AH) as a helmet.^{(AI) 9} For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath^(AJ) but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.^{(AK) 10} He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him.^{(AL) 11} Therefore encourage one another^(AM) and build each other up,^(AN) just as in fact you are doing.

Final Instructions

¹² Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard^(AO) among you, who care for you in the Lord^(AP) and who admonish you. ¹³ Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.^(AQ)