²³ But each in his own order: Christ the first-fruits; then they that are Christ’s, at his ^[a]coming.

¹³ But we would not have you ignorant, brethren, concerning them that fall asleep; that ye sorrow not, even as the rest, who have no hope. ¹⁴ For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also that are fallen asleep ^[a]in Jesus will God bring with him. ¹⁵ For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we that are alive, that are left unto the ^[b]coming of the Lord, shall in no wise precede them that are fallen asleep. ¹⁶ For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven, with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first; ¹⁷ then we that are alive, that are left, shall together with them be caught up in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.