1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11

New International Version

Believers Who Have Died

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

The Day of the Lord

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

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

Psalm 74

New International Version

Psalm 74

A maskil^[a] of Asaph.

¹O God, why have you rejected^(A) us forever?^(B)
    Why does your anger smolder against the sheep of your pasture?^(C)
²Remember the nation you purchased^(D) long ago,^(E)
    the people of your inheritance,^(F) whom you redeemed^(G)—
    Mount Zion,^(H) where you dwelt.^(I)
³Turn your steps toward these everlasting ruins,^(J)
    all this destruction the enemy has brought on the sanctuary.

⁴Your foes roared^(K) in the place where you met with us;
    they set up their standards^(L) as signs.
⁵They behaved like men wielding axes
    to cut through a thicket of trees.^(M)
⁶They smashed all the carved^(N) paneling
    with their axes and hatchets.
⁷They burned your sanctuary to the ground;
    they defiled^(O) the dwelling place^(P) of your Name.^(Q)
⁸They said in their hearts, “We will crush^(R) them completely!”
    They burned^(S) every place where God was worshiped in the land.

⁹We are given no signs from God;^(T)
    no prophets^(U) are left,
    and none of us knows how long this will be.
¹⁰How long^(V) will the enemy mock^(W) you, God?
    Will the foe revile^(X) your name forever?
¹¹Why do you hold back your hand, your right hand?^(Y)
    Take it from the folds of your garment^(Z) and destroy them!

¹²But God is my King^(AA) from long ago;
he brings salvation^(AB) on the earth.

¹³It was you who split open the sea^(AC) by your power;
    you broke the heads of the monster^(AD) in the waters.
¹⁴It was you who crushed the heads of Leviathan^(AE)
    and gave it as food to the creatures of the desert.^(AF)
¹⁵It was you who opened up springs^(AG) and streams;
    you dried up^(AH) the ever-flowing rivers.
¹⁶The day is yours, and yours also the night;
    you established the sun and moon.^(AI)
¹⁷It was you who set all the boundaries^(AJ) of the earth;
    you made both summer and winter.^(AK)

¹⁸Remember how the enemy has mocked you, Lord,
    how foolish people^(AL) have reviled your name.
¹⁹Do not hand over the life of your dove^(AM) to wild beasts;
    do not forget the lives of your afflicted^(AN) people forever.
²⁰Have regard for your covenant,^(AO)
    because haunts of violence fill the dark places^(AP) of the land.
²¹Do not let the oppressed^(AQ) retreat in disgrace;
    may the poor and needy^(AR) praise your name.
²²Rise up,^(AS) O God, and defend your cause;
    remember how fools^(AT) mock you all day long.
²³Do not ignore the clamor^(AU) of your adversaries,^(AV)
    the uproar^(AW) of your enemies,^(AX) which rises continually.