< 1 Thessalonians 5 >
1 Brothers and sisters, we don't need to write anything to you about prophetic times and dates.
Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you do not need to be written to,
2 You yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.
for you yourselves know very well that the Day of the Lord comes just 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 whenever they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction is standing near them, like labor pains to a pregnant woman, 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 this Day should come upon you like 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.
You are all sons of light and sons of day; we are not of night, nor of darkness.
6 So then we shouldn't be sleeping like everybody else—we should stay awake and keep ourselves clear-headed.
So then, let us not sleep, like the rest, but let us stay alert and sober;
7 For it's during the night that people sleep; and it's at night that they get drunk.
because those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at 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 being of day, let us be sober, putting on a breastplate of faith and love, and a helmet of 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 did not appoint us to undergo wrath but to obtain 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 awake or asleep we may live together with Him.
11 So encourage and strengthen one another, just as you are doing.
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, as in fact you do.
12 Brothers and sisters, we're asking you to respect those who work with you, who lead you in the Lord and teach you.
Now we urge you, brothers, to recognize those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you,
13 You should value them highly in love for the work they do. Live in peace with each other.
and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.
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.
Now we exhort you, brothers: admonish the disorderly, encourage the fainthearted, be supportive of the weak, be patient toward all.
15 Make sure none of you pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to one another, and to everyone.
See that no one pays back bad for bad to anyone, but always pursue the good, both for one another and for all.
16 Always be full of joy,
Rejoice always!
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 God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
19 Don't hold the Spirit back,
Do not quench the Spirit!
20 don't look down on prophecy,
Do not disdain prophesies,
21 make sure to check everything. Hold onto whatever is good;
but test everything; hold on to the good.
22 keep away from every kind of evil.
Keep away from every form 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.
Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
24 The one who calls you is trustworthy, and he will do this.
He who calls you is faithful, and He will do it.
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 adjure you by the Lord that this letter be read to all the holy brothers.
28 May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.