1 Thessalonians

Christian Life

Finally, brothers and sisters, we ask you in the name of Jesus, the Lord, to live in a way that pleases God, just as you have learned from us. Keep doing this, but strive to do even more.

You know the instructions we gave you on behalf of the Lord Jesus: 

the will of God for you is to become holy and avoid unlawful sex. 

Let each of you treat his wife as a holy and respectful husband, 

rather than being driven by lust, like pagans who do not know God. 

In this matter, let no one offend or wrong a brother or sister. The Lord will bring justice in all these matters, as we have warned and shown you. 

God has called us to live not in impurity but in holiness, 

and those who do not follow this instruction disobey not merely a human, but God himself, who gives you his Holy Spirit.

Regarding mutual love, you don’t need anyone to write to you because God himself taught you how to love one another. 

You already practice it with all the brothers and sisters in Macedonia, but I invite you to do more. 

Consider how important it is to live quietly, not disturbing others, to mind your own business, and to work with your hands as we have instructed you. 

By following these rules, you will earn the respect of outsiders and be self-reliant.

The Coming of the Lord

Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who are already asleep, so that you do not grieve like those who have no hope.

Since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, in the same way, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have died.

By the same word of the Lord, we declare this: those of us who are alive at His coming will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 

When the archangel’s voice commands, the Lord himself will descend from heaven, and the sound of the divine trumpet will be heard. Then those who have died in the Lord will rise first; 

as for us who are still alive, we will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And we will be with the Lord forever.

Therefore, comfort each other with these words.