^{15 Ref} For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are still living at the coming of the Lord, will not go before those who are sleeping.

^{16 Ref} Because the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a word of authority, with the voice of the chief angel, with the sound of a horn: and the dead in Christ will come to life first;

^{17 Ref} Then we who are still living will be taken up together with them into the clouds to see the Lord in the air: and so will we be for ever with the Lord.

^{18 Ref} So then, give comfort to one another with these words.

^{15 Ref} For this we tell you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left to the coming of the Lord, will in no way precede those who have fallen asleep.

^{16 Ref} For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with God's trumpet. The dead in Christ will rise first,

^{17 Ref} then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air. So we will be with the Lord forever.

^{18 Ref} Therefore comfort one another with these words.