Those Who Died in Christ

¹³ But ^(A)we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who ^[a](B)are asleep, so that you will not grieve as indeed ^(C)the rest of mankind do, who have ^(D)no hope. ¹⁴ For if we believe that Jesus died and rose from the dead, ^(E)so also God will bring with Him ^(F)those who have fallen asleep ^[b]through Jesus. ¹⁵ For we say this to you ^(G)by the word of the Lord, that ^(H)we who are alive ^[c]and remain until ^(I)the coming of the Lord will not precede ^(J)those who have fallen asleep. ¹⁶ For the Lord ^(K)Himself ^(L)will descend from heaven with a ^[d](M)shout, with the voice of ^(N)the archangel and with the ^(O)trumpet of God, and ^(P)the dead in Christ will rise first. ¹⁷ Then ^(Q)we who are alive, who remain, will be ^(R)caught up together with them ^(S)in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always ^(T)be with the Lord. ¹⁸ Therefore, ^[e]comfort one another with these words.

The Day of the Lord

5 Now as to the ^(U)periods and ^[f]times, brothers and sisters, you ^(V)have no need of anything to be written to you. ² For you yourselves know full well that ^(W)the day of the Lord is coming ^(X)just like a thief in the night. ³ While they are saying, “^(Y)Peace and safety!” then ^(Z)sudden destruction ^[g]will come upon them like ^(AA)labor pains upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. ⁴ But you, brothers and sisters, are not in ^(AB)darkness, so that the day would overtake you ^[h](AC)like a thief; ⁵ for you are all ^(AD)sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of ^(AE)darkness; ⁶ so then, let’s not ^(AF)sleep as ^[i](AG)others do, but let’s be alert and ^[j](AH)sober. ⁷ For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who are drunk, ^(AI)get drunk at night. ⁸ But since ^(AJ)we are of the day, let’s ^(AK)be ^[k]sober, having put on the ^(AL)breastplate of ^(AM)faith and love, and as a ^(AN)helmet, the ^(AO)hope of salvation. ⁹ For God has not destined us for ^(AP)wrath, but for ^(AQ)obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, ^10 (AR)who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him. ¹¹ Therefore, ^[l]encourage one another and ^(AS)build one another up, just as you also are doing.

⁷ and to give relief to you who are afflicted, along with us, ^[a](A)when the Lord Jesus will be revealed ^(B)from heaven ^(C)with ^[b]His mighty angels ^8 (D)in flaming fire, dealing out retribution to those who ^(E)do not know God, and to those who ^(F)do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. ⁹ These people will pay the penalty of ^(G)eternal destruction, ^(H)away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, ¹⁰ when He comes to be ^(I)glorified among His ^[c]saints on that ^(J)day, and to be marveled at among all who have believed—because our ^(K)testimony to you was believed.