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.

Final Instructions

¹² Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard^(A) among you, who care for you in the Lord^(B) and who admonish you. ¹³ Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.^{(C) 14} And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle^(D) and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak,^(E) be patient with everyone. ¹⁵ Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong,^(F) but always strive to do what is good for each other^(G) and for everyone else.

¹⁶ Rejoice always,^{(H) 17} pray continually,^{(I) 18} give thanks in all circumstances;^(J) for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

¹⁹ Do not quench the Spirit.^{(K) 20} Do not treat prophecies^(L) with contempt ²¹ but test them all;^(M) hold on to what is good,^{(N) 22} reject every kind of evil.

²³ May God himself, the God of peace,^(O) sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul^(P) and body be kept blameless^(Q) at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.^{(R) 24} The one who calls^(S) you is faithful,^(T) and he will do it.^(U)