1 Thessalonians 4:15–5:11

15  (For this we say to you in the word of the Lord, that we, the living, who remain to the coming of the Lord, are in no way to anticipate those who have fallen asleep; 16  for the Lord himself, with an assembling shout, with archangel’s voice and with trump of God, shall descend from heaven; and the dead in Christ shall rise first; 17  then we, the living who remain, shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air; and thus we shall be always with the Lord. 18  So encourage one another with these words.)

Chapter 5

1  But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that ye should be written to, 2  for ye know perfectly well yourselves, that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief by night. 3  When they may say, Peace and safety, then sudden destruction comes upon them, as travail upon her that is with child; and they shall in no wise escape. 4  But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day should overtake you as a thief: 5  for all ye are sons of light and sons of day; we are not of night nor of darkness.

6  So then do not let us sleep as the rest do, but let us watch and be sober; 7  for they that sleep sleep by night, and they that drink drink by night; 8  but we being of the day, let us be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as helmet the hope of salvation; 9  because God has not set us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10  who has died for us, that whether we may be watching or sleep, we may live together with him.

11  Wherefore encourage one another, and build up each one the other, even as also ye do.