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

The Day of the Lord

Now concerning (M)the times and the seasons, brothers,[b] (N)you have no need to have anything written to you. For you yourselves are fully aware that (O)the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then (P)sudden destruction will come upon them (Q)as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you (R)are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. For you are all (S)children[c] of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. So then (T)let us not sleep, as others do, but let us (U)keep awake and (V)be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, (W)are drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, (X)having put on the breastplate of (Y)faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. For God has not destined us for (Z)wrath, but (AA)to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 (AB)who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Thessalonians 4:15 Or by the word of the Lord
  2. 1 Thessalonians 5:1 Or brothers and sisters; also verses 4, 12, 14, 25, 26, 27
  3. 1 Thessalonians 5:5 Or sons; twice in this verse

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