¹⁶ For the Lord himself will come down from heaven,^(A) with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel^(B) and with the trumpet call of God,^(C) and the dead in Christ will rise first.^{(D) 17} After that, we who are still alive and are left^(E) will be caught up together with them in the clouds^(F) to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord^(G) forever.

² Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake:^(A) some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt.^{(B) 3} Those who are wise^[a](C) will shine^(D) like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness,^(E) like the stars for ever and ever.^(F)