¹⁵ For we say this to you ^(A)by the word of the Lord, that ^(B)we who are alive ^[a]and remain until ^(C)the coming of the Lord will not precede ^(D)those who have fallen asleep. ¹⁶ For the Lord ^(E)Himself ^(F)will descend from heaven with a ^[b](G)shout, with the voice of ^(H)the archangel and with the ^(I)trumpet of God, and ^(J)the dead in Christ will rise first. ¹⁷ Then ^(K)we who are alive, who remain, will be ^(L)caught up together with them ^(M)in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always ^(N)be with the Lord.

⁵¹ Behold, I am telling you a ^[a](A)mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be ^(B)changed, ⁵² in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for ^(C)the trumpet will sound, and ^(D)the dead will be raised ^[b]imperishable, and ^(E)we will be changed. ⁵³ For this ^[c]perishable must put on ^[d](F)the imperishable, and this ^(G)mortal must put on immortality.