1 Thessalonians 4:15-5:9

New American Standard Bible

¹⁵ For we say this to you ^(A)by the word of the Lord, that ^(B)we who are alive ^[a]and remain until ^(C)the coming of the Lord will not precede ^(D)those who have fallen asleep. ¹⁶ For the Lord ^(E)Himself ^(F)will descend from heaven with a ^[b](G)shout, with the voice of ^(H)the archangel and with the ^(I)trumpet of God, and ^(J)the dead in Christ will rise first. ¹⁷ Then ^(K)we who are alive, who remain, will be ^(L)caught up together with them ^(M)in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always ^(N)be with the Lord. ¹⁸ Therefore, ^[c]comfort one another with these words.

The Day of the Lord

5 Now as to the ^(O)periods and ^[d]times, brothers and sisters, you ^(P)have no need of anything to be written to you. ² For you yourselves know full well that ^(Q)the day of the Lord is coming ^(R)just like a thief in the night. ³ While they are saying, “^(S)Peace and safety!” then ^(T)sudden destruction ^[e]will come upon them like ^(U)labor pains upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. ⁴ But you, brothers and sisters, are not in ^(V)darkness, so that the day would overtake you ^[f](W)like a thief; ⁵ for you are all ^(X)sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of ^(Y)darkness; ⁶ so then, let’s not ^(Z)sleep as ^[g](AA)others do, but let’s be alert and ^[h](AB)sober. ⁷ For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who are drunk, ^(AC)get drunk at night. ⁸ But since ^(AD)we are of the day, let’s ^(AE)be ^[i]sober, having put on the ^(AF)breastplate of ^(AG)faith and love, and as a ^(AH)helmet, the ^(AI)hope of salvation. ⁹ For God has not destined us for ^(AJ)wrath, but for ^(AK)obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,