[1] Finally then, brothers, we beg and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that,
as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, -- that
you abound more and more. [2] For you know what charge we gave you through
the Lord Jesus. [3] For this is the will of God: your sanctification, that
you abstain from sexual immorality, [4] that each one of you know how to
possess himself of his own vessel in sanctification and honor, [5] not in
the passion of lust, even as the Gentiles who don`t know God; [6] that no
one should take advantage of and wrong a brother or sister in this matter;
because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as also we forewarned
you and testified. [7] For God called us not for uncleanness, but in
sanctification. [8] Therefore he who rejects, doesn`t reject man, but God,
who has also given his Holy Spirit to you. [9] But concerning brotherly
love, you have no need that one write to you. For you yourselves are taught
by God to love one another, [10] for indeed you do it toward all the
brothers who are in all Macedonia. But we exhort you, brothers, that you
abound more and more; [11] and that you make it your ambition to lead a
quiet life, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands,
even as we charged you; [12] that you may walk properly toward those who
are outside, and may have need of nothing. [13] But we don`t want you to be
ignorant, brothers, concerning those who have fallen asleep, so that you
don`t grieve like the rest, who have no hope. [14] For if we believe that
Jesus died and rose again, even so those who have fallen asleep in Jesus
will God bring with him. [15] 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] 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] 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]
Therefore comfort one another with these words.
