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.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 1 Thessalonians 4:13 I.e., have died
  2. 1 Thessalonians 4:14 I.e., as believers
  3. 1 Thessalonians 4:15 Lit who
  4. 1 Thessalonians 4:16 Or cry of command
  5. 1 Thessalonians 4:18 Or encourage

The Coming of the Lord

13 But we would not have you ignorant, brethren, concerning those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. 14 For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. 15 For this we declare to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, shall not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the archangel’s call, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first; 17 then we who are alive, who are left, shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and so we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.

Read full chapter