1 Thessalonians 5
1 But as to the times and the moments, there is no need, friends, for anyone to write to you.
But about the times and the seasons, brothers, ye have no need to be written to you.
2 You yourselves know well that the day of the Lord will come just as a thief comes in the night.
For ye yourselves know accurately that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night.
3 When people are saying “All is quiet and safe,” it is then that, like birth pains on a pregnant woman, ruin comes suddenly upon them, and there will be no escape!
For when they say, Peace and safety, then sudden destruction approaches them, as the woman having birth pangs in her womb, and they will, no, not escape.
4 You, however, friends, are not in darkness, that the daylight should take you by surprise as if you were thieves.
But ye, brothers, are not in darkness, so that the day would seize you as a thief.
5 For you all are children of light and children of the day. We have nothing to do with night, or darkness.
Ye are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness.
6 Therefore let us not sleep as others do. No, let us be watchful and self-controlled.
So then let us not sleep, as also the others, but let us watch and be sober.
7 It is at night that people sleep, and at night that drunkards get drunk.
For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who are intoxicated get drunk at night.
8 But let us, who belong to the day, control ourselves, and put on faith and love as a breast plate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.
But we, being of the day, should be sober, putting on a breastplate of faith and love, and a helmet, the hope of salvation.
9 For God destined us, not for wrath, but to win salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us,
Because God appointed us not for wrath, but for an acquired possession of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us.
10 that, whether we are still watching or have fallen asleep, we may live with him.
So that, whether we are awake or sleep, we should live together with him.
11 Therefore encourage one another, and try to build up one another’s characters, as indeed you are doing.
Therefore encourage each other, and build ye up one by one, just as ye also are doing.
12 We beg you, friends, to value those who toil among you, and are your leaders in the Lord’s service, and give you counsel.
And we ask you, brothers, to acknowledge those who labor among you, and who lead you in the Lord, and who admonish you,
13 Hold them in the very greatest esteem and affection for the sake of their work. Live at peace with one another.
and to esteem them with exceptional love because of their work. Live peaceably among yourselves.
14 We entreat you also, friends – warn the disorderly, comfort the faint-hearted, give a helping hand to the weak, and be patient with everyone.
And we encourage you, brothers, admonish the unruly, strengthen the weak-spirited, help the infirmed, be patient toward all.
15 Take care that none of you ever pays back wrong for wrong, but always follow the kindest course with one another and with everyone.
See that not any man repays evil for evil to any man, but always pursue the good, both for each other and for all.
16 Always be joyful;
Rejoice always.
17 never cease to pray;
Pray without ceasing.
18 under all circumstances give thanks to God. For this is his will for you as made known in Christ Jesus.
In everything express thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
19 Do not quench the Spirit;
Do not quench the Spirit.
20 do not make light of preaching.
Do not disdain prophecies,
21 Bring everything to the test; cling to what is good;
but examine all things. Hold firm the good.
22 shun every form of evil.
Abstain from all appearance of evil.
23 May God himself, the giver of peace, make you altogether holy; and may your spirits, souls, and bodies be kept altogether faultless until the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
And may the God of peace himself sanctify you thoroughly. And may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, blamelessly at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
24 He who calls you will not fail you; he will complete his work.
Faithful is he who calls you, who also will do it.
25 Friends, pray for us.
Brothers, pray about us.
26 Greet all the Lord’s followers with a sacred kiss.
Salute all the brothers by a holy kiss.
27 I order you in the Lord’s name to have this letter read to all the brethren.
I adjure you by the Lord that the letter be read to all the holy brothers.
28 May the blessing of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ is with you. Truly.
