1 Thessalonians 5
1 Brothers and sisters, we don't need to write anything to you about prophetic times and dates.
But as to times and dates it is unnecessary that anything be written 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 know perfectly well that the day of the Lord comes 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.
While they are saying "Peace and safety!" then in a moment destruction falls upon them, like birth-pains on a woman who is with child; and escape there is none.
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, brethren, are not in darkness, that daylight should surprise 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.
for all of you are sons of Light and sons of the day. We belong neither to the night nor to 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 of the world, but let us keep awake and be 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 at night, and those who drink freely, drink 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 let us, belonging--as we do--to the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and for 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 pre-destined us to meet His anger, 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 on our behalf, so that whether we are awake or are sleeping we may share His Life.
11 So encourage and strengthen one another, just as you are doing.
Therefore encourage one another, and let each one help to strengthen his friend, 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 beg you, brethren, to show respect for those who labour among you and are your leaders in Christian work, and are your advisers;
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 for their work's sake. 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.
And we exhort you, brethren, admonish the unruly, comfort the timid, sustain the weak, and be patient towards 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 to it that no one ever repays another with evil for evil; but always seek opportunities of doing good both to one another and to all the world.
16 Always be full of joy,
Be always joyful.
17 never stop praying,
Be unceasing in prayer.
18 be thankful in every situation—because this is what God in Christ Jesus wants you to do.
In every circumstance of life be thankful; for this is God's will in Christ Jesus respecting you.
19 Don't hold the Spirit back,
Do not quench the Spirit.
20 don't look down on prophecy,
Do not think meanly of utterances of prophecy;
21 make sure to check everything. Hold onto whatever is good;
but test all such, and retain hold of the good.
22 keep away from every kind of evil.
Hold yourselves aloof 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.
And may God Himself who gives peace, make you entirely holy; and may your spirits, souls and bodies be preserved complete and be found blameless at the Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
24 The one who calls you is trustworthy, and he will do this.
Faithful is He who calls you, and He will also perfect His work.
25 Brothers and sisters, pray for us.
Brethren, pray for us.
26 Greet all the believers there affectionately.
Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss.
27 I'm requiring you by the Lord that this letter be read to all the believers.
I solemnly charge you in the Lord's name to have this Letter read to all the brethren.
28 May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
