1 Thessalonians 4

1Finally 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.Cross-references: Job 17:9 · Ps 92:14 · Prov 4:18 · John 15:2 · Acts 20:27 · Rom 8:8 · +34 more

2For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus.Cross-references: Ezek 3:17 · Matt 28:20 · 1Cor 9:21 · 2Thess 3:6 · 2Thess 3:10

3For this is the will of God: your sanctification, that you abstain from sexual immorality,Cross-references: Ps 40:8 · Ps 143:10 · Matt 7:21 · Matt 12:50 · Matt 15:19 · Mark 3:35 · +38 more

4that each one of you know how to control his own body in sanctification and honor,Cross-references: 1Sam 21:5 · Acts 9:15 · Rom 1:24 · Rom 6:19 · Rom 9:21 · Rom 12:1 · +9 more

5not in the passion of lust, even as the Gentiles who don’t know God,Cross-references: Matt 6:32 · Luke 12:30 · Acts 17:23 · Acts 17:30 · Rom 1:24 · Rom 1:26 · +9 more

6that 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.Cross-references: Ex 20:15 · Ex 20:17 · Lev 19:11 · Lev 19:13 · Lev 25:14 · Lev 25:17 · +40 more

7For God called us not for uncleanness, but in sanctification.Cross-references: Lev 11:44 · Lev 19:2 · Rom 1:7 · Rom 8:29 · 1Cor 1:2 · Gal 5:19 · +12 more

8Therefore he who rejects this doesn’t reject man, but God, who has also given his Holy Spirit to you.Cross-references: 1Sam 8:7 · 1Sam 10:19 · Neh 9:30 · Prov 1:7 · Prov 23:9 · Isa 49:7 · +13 more

9But concerning brotherly love, you have no need that one write to you. For you yourselves are taught by God to love one another,Cross-references: Lev 19:8 · Ps 133:1 · Isa 51:13 · Jer 31:34 · Matt 22:39 · John 6:44 · +20 more

10for indeed you do it toward all the brothers who are in all Macedonia. But we exhort you, brothers, that you abound more and more;Cross-references: 2Cor 8:1 · 2Cor 8:8 · Eph 1:15 · Phil 1:9 · Phil 3:13 · Col 1:4 · +6 more

11and 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 instructed you,Cross-references: Prov 17:1 · Eccl 4:6 · Lam 3:26 · Mark 13:34 · Luke 12:42 · Acts 18:3 · +16 more

12that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and may have need of nothing.Cross-references: Mark 4:11 · Rom 12:17 · Rom 13:13 · 1Cor 5:12 · 2Cor 8:20 · 2Cor 11:7 · +8 more

13But 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.Cross-references: Gen 37:35 · Lev 19:28 · Deut 14:1 · 2Sam 12:19 · 2Sam 18:33 · 1Ki 1:21 · +25 more

14For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus.Cross-references: Gen 49:19 · Isa 26:19 · Zech 14:15 · Matt 24:31 · Rom 8:11 · 1Cor 15:12 · +9 more

15For this we tell you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will in no way precede those who have fallen asleep.Cross-references: 1Ki 13:1 · 1Ki 13:9 · 1Ki 13:17 · 1Ki 13:22 · 1Ki 20:35 · 1Ki 22:14 · +7 more

16For 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,Cross-references: Ex 19:16 · Ex 20:18 · Num 23:21 · Ps 47:1 · Ps 47:5 · Isa 25:8 · +21 moreExamined: Jehovah's Witnesses →

17then 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.Cross-references: 1Ki 18:12 · 2Ki 2:11 · 2Ki 2:16 · Ps 16:11 · Ps 17:15 · Ps 49:15 · +24 more

18Therefore comfort one another with these words.Cross-references: Isa 40:1 · Luke 21:28 · 1Thess 5:11 · 1Thess 5:14 · Heb 10:24 · Heb 12:12