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.”

¹⁵ Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice^(A) of praise—the fruit of lips^(B) that openly profess his name.

Believers Who Have Died

¹³ Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed^(A) about those who sleep in death,^(B) so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope.^{(C) 14} For we believe that Jesus died and rose again,^(D) and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.^(E)

⁶ Let your conversation be always full of grace,^(A) seasoned with salt,^(B) so that you may know how to answer everyone.^(C)

¹⁶ Let the message of Christ^(A) dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom^(B) through psalms,^(C) hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.^{(D) 17} And whatever you do,^(E) whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks^(F) to God the Father through him.

²⁹ Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths,^(A) but only what is helpful for building others up^(B) according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

The Day Is Near

¹¹ And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come^(A) for you to wake up from your slumber,^(B) because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.

³⁰ He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”^(A)

³¹ They replied, “Believe^(B) in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved^(C)—you and your household.”^{(D) 32} Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. ³³ At that hour of the night^(E) the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized.^{(F) 34} The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he^(G) was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole household.

³¹ After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken.^(A) And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit^(B) and spoke the word of God^(C) boldly.^(D)

The Believers Share Their Possessions

³² All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had.^(E)