1 Thessalonians 4:13–18

A Catholic funeral reading (second reading), with the full text in the King James Version and the Douay-Rheims.

Reads in about 1 minute6 versesCatholic: New Testament

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King James Version

1. 13But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
2. 14For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
3. 15For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
4. 16For 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:
5. 17Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
6. 18Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

Douay-Rheims

1. 12And we will not have you ignorant brethren, concerning them that are asleep, that you be not sorrowful, even as others who have no hope.
2. 13For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again: even so them who have slept through Jesus, will God bring with him.
3. 14For this we say unto you in the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who remain unto the coming of the Lord, shall not prevent them who have slept.
4. 15For the Lord himself shall come down from heaven with commandment and with the voice of an archangel and with the trumpet of God: and the dead who are in Christ shall rise first.
5. 16Then we who are alive, who are left, shall be taken up together with them in the clouds to meet Christ, into the air: and so shall we be always with the Lord.
6. 17Wherefore, comfort ye one another with these words.

Most Catholic parishes in the US read the New American Bible. Read 1 Thessalonians 4 in the NABRE at usccb.org.

Where this reading is used

• Catholic: New Testament (Lectionary for Mass, no. 1014)
• Protestant: a common funeral reading

Hymns based on it

• Christ Returneth · play it on HymnKeys
• Creator of the Stars of Night · play it on HymnKeys
• Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence · play it on HymnKeys
• Lo! He Comes With Clouds Descending · play it on HymnKeys
• My Hope Is Built · play it on HymnKeys
• When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder · play it on HymnKeys

Scripture: King James Version (1769 text) and Douay-Rheims Bible, Challoner revision (Project Gutenberg #1581); both public domain. Citation as listed in the Lectionary for Mass.