¹³ Then I heard a voice from heaven say, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord^(A) from now on.”

“Yes,” says the Spirit,^(B) “they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them.”

⁶ Blessed^(A) and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. The second death^(B) has no power over them, but they will be priests^(C) of God and of Christ and will reign with him^(D) for a thousand years.

⁷ I have fought the good fight,^(A) I have finished the race,^(B) I have kept the faith. ⁸ Now there is in store for me^(C) the crown of righteousness,^(D) which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day^(E)—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.^(F)

⁹ There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; ¹⁰ for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works,^[a](A) just as God did from his.^{(B) 11} Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience.^(C)

¹⁰ He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him.^(A)

¹⁶ For the Lord himself will come down from heaven,^(A) with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel^(B) and with the trumpet call of God,^(C) and the dead in Christ will rise first.^(D)

⁵⁸ Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord,^(A) because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.^(B)

⁹ Then the angel said to me,^(A) “Write this:^(B) Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!”^(C) And he added, “These are the true words of God.”^(D)

¹⁰ God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.^{(A) 11} We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope^(B) for may be fully realized.