Believers Who Have Died

¹³ Brothers 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) 14} For 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) 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,^(F) will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep.^{(G) 16} For 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) 17} After 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.

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

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

²³ May God himself, the God of peace,^(H) sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul^(I) and body be kept blameless^(J) at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.^{(K) 24} The one who calls^(L) you is faithful,^(M) and he will do it.^(N)

²⁵ Brothers and sisters, pray for us.^{(O) 26} Greet all God’s people with a holy kiss.^{(P) 27} I charge you before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers and sisters.^(Q)

²⁸ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.^(R)