1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:18

Christian Standard Bible

The Comfort of Christ’s Coming

¹³ We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, concerning those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve like the rest, who have no hope.^{(A) 14} For if we believe that Jesus died and rose^(B) again,^(C) in the same way, through Jesus,^(D) God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. ¹⁵ For we say this to you by a word from the Lord:^(E) We who are still alive at the Lord’s coming^(F) will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep.^{(G) 16} For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout,^[a](H) with the archangel’s^(I) voice, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ^(J) will rise first. ¹⁷ Then^(K) we who are still alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds^(L) to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. ¹⁸ Therefore encourage^[b] one another with these words.

The Day of the Lord

5 About the times and the seasons:^(M) Brothers and sisters, you do not need anything to be written to you. ² For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord^(N) will come just like a thief^(O) in the night. ³ When they say, “Peace and security,” then sudden destruction^(P) will come upon them, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. ⁴ But you, brothers and sisters, are not in the dark, for this day to surprise you like a thief.^{(Q) 5} For you are all children of light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or the darkness.^{(R) 6} So then, let us not sleep, like the rest, but let us stay awake and be self-controlled. ⁷ For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. ⁸ But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled^(S) and put on the armor^(T) of faith and love, and a helmet^(U) of the hope of salvation. ⁹ For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord^(V) Jesus Christ,^{(W) 10} who died for us,^(X) so that whether we are awake or asleep,^(Y) we may live together with him.^{(Z) 11} Therefore encourage one another and build each other up as you are already doing.

Exhortations and Blessings

¹² Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to give recognition^(AA) to those who labor among you and lead you^[c] in the Lord and admonish you, ¹³ and to regard them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace^(AB) among yourselves. ¹⁴ And we exhort you, brothers and sisters:^(AC) warn those who are idle,^[d] comfort the discouraged, help the weak, be patient^(AD) with everyone. ¹⁵ See to it that no one repays evil for evil^(AE) to anyone,^(AF) but always pursue what is good for one another and for all.^{(AG) 16} Rejoice^(AH) always, ¹⁷ pray constantly, ¹⁸ give thanks in everything; for this is God’s will^(AI) for you in Christ Jesus.