1 Thessalonians 5
1 Brothers and sisters, we don't need to write anything to you about prophetic times and dates.
But concerning dates and times, brothers, you do not need us to write to you.
2 You yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.
For you yourselves thoroughly understand that the day of the Lord shall arrive much like a thief in the night.
3 When people talk about peace and security suddenly they will be completely ruined. It will be just like the sudden onset of childbirth, and they certainly won't escape.
For when they will say, “Peace and security!” then destruction will suddenly overwhelm them, like the labor pains of a woman with child, and they will not escape.
4 But you, brothers and sisters, are not in the dark about this so that you won't be caught by surprise when the Day of Judgment arrives suddenly like a thief.
But you, brothers, are not in darkness, so that you would be overtaken by that day as by a thief.
5 For you are all children of light and children of the day. We don't belong to the night or to darkness.
For all of you are sons of light and sons of daytime; we are not of nighttime, nor of darkness.
6 So then we shouldn't be sleeping like everybody else—we should stay awake and keep ourselves clear-headed.
Therefore, let us not sleep, as the rest do. Instead, we should be vigilant and sober.
7 For it's during the night that people sleep; and it's at night that they get drunk.
For those who sleep, sleep in the night; and those who are inebriated, are inebriated in the night.
8 But since we belong to the day we should keep our heads clear, strapping on the breastplate of trust and love, and putting on as a helmet the hope of salvation.
But we, who are of the daylight, should be sober, being clothed with the breastplate of faith and of charity and having, as a helmet, the hope of salvation.
9 For God hasn't placed us in a position to be punished, but has reserved us for salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.
For God has not appointed us for wrath, but for the acquisition of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,
10 He's the one who died for us so that whether we're alive or dead we shall live together with him.
who died for us, so that, whether we watch, or whether we sleep, we may live in union with him.
11 So encourage and strengthen one another, just as you are doing.
Because of this, console one another and build up one another, just as you are doing.
12 Brothers and sisters, we're asking you to respect those who work with you, who lead you in the Lord and teach you.
And we ask you, brothers, to recognize those who labor among you, and who preside over you in the Lord, and who admonish you,
13 You should value them highly in love for the work they do. Live in peace with each other.
so that you may consider them with an abundance of charity, for the sake of their work. Be at peace with them.
14 We urge you, brothers and sisters, to warn those who are lazy, encourage those who are anxious, help those who are weak, and be patient with everyone.
And we ask you, brothers: correct the disruptive, console the weak-minded, support the sick, be patient with everyone.
15 Make sure none of you pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to one another, and to everyone.
See to it that no one repays evil for evil to anyone. Instead, always pursue whatever is good, with one another and with all.
16 Always be full of joy,
Rejoice always.
17 never stop praying,
Pray without ceasing.
18 be thankful in every situation—because this is what God in Christ Jesus wants you to do.
Give thanks in everything. For this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for all of you.
19 Don't hold the Spirit back,
Do not choose to extinguish the Spirit.
20 don't look down on prophecy,
Do not spurn prophecies.
21 make sure to check everything. Hold onto whatever is good;
But test all things. Hold on to whatever is good.
22 keep away from every kind of evil.
Abstain from every kind of evil.
23 May the God of peace himself make you completely holy, and may your whole being—body, mind and spirit—be kept blameless for when our Lord Jesus Christ returns.
And may the God of peace himself sanctify you through all things, so that your whole spirit and soul and body may be preserved without blame unto the return of our Lord Jesus Christ.
24 The one who calls you is trustworthy, and he will do this.
He who has called you is faithful. He shall act even now.
25 Brothers and sisters, pray for us.
Brothers, pray for us.
26 Greet all the believers there affectionately.
Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss.
27 I'm requiring you by the Lord that this letter be read to all the believers.
I bind you, through the Lord, that this epistle is to be read to all the holy brothers.
28 May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
