1 Thessalonians 4:15-5:11

English Standard Version

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. ¹⁸ Therefore encourage one another with these words.

The Day of the Lord

5 Now concerning ^(M)the times and the seasons, brothers,^{[b] (N)}you have no need to have anything written to you. ² For you yourselves are fully aware that ^(O)the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. ³ While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then ^(P)sudden destruction will come upon them ^(Q)as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. ⁴ But you ^(R)are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. ⁵ For you are all ^(S)children^[c] of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. ⁶ So then ^(T)let us not sleep, as others do, but let us ^(U)keep awake and ^(V)be sober. ⁷ For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, ^(W)are drunk at night. ⁸ But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, ^(X)having put on the breastplate of ^(Y)faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. ⁹ For God has not destined us for ^(Z)wrath, but ^(AA)to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, ^10 (AB)who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. ¹¹ Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.