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.

² For you yourselves are fully aware that ^(A)the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. ³ While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then ^(B)sudden destruction will come upon them ^(C)as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. ⁴ But you ^(D)are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. ⁵ For you are all ^(E)children^[a] of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. ⁶ So then ^(F)let us not sleep, as others do, but let us ^(G)keep awake and ^(H)be sober.