But we, brethren, being taken from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavoured the more abundantly to see your face with great desire.

that each of you should learn to take a wife for himself chastely and honourably,

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.

And that you may take pride in being quiet and doing your business, working with your hands as we gave you orders;

For we say this to you by [the authority of] the word of the Lord [Note: Paul was either quoting what Jesus had previously said, or was giving a revelation he had received from the Lord. See I Cor. 14:37], that we [Christians] who are [still] alive, who are left [on earth] when the Lord returns, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. [Note: The point Paul is making is that the living will not be "changed" (I Cor. 15:51-52) and taken to heaven before the dead are raised].

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.

You, however, Brothers, are not in darkness, that the daylight should take you by surprise as if you were thieves.

So then, let us not take our rest as the others do, but let us be self-controlled and awake.

they that are sober take their rest in the night, whilst they that are sots, are drunk in the night:

But we beg you, brethren, to know those who labour among you, and take the lead among you in the Lord, and admonish you,

Take care that none of you ever pays back wrong for wrong, but always follow the kindest course with one another and with every one.