1 Thessalonians 5
1 My fellow believers, [I want to tell you more] about the time or period [when the Lord Jesus will come back. Really], you do not need me to you about that,
But as to times and dates it is unnecessary that anything be written to you.
2 because you yourselves know accurately [what will happen! You know] that the Lord [Jesus will return] [MTY] [unexpectedly] (OR, [when some people are unprepared]). [People will not expect him, just like no one knows when] a thief [comes unexpectedly] at night [SIM].
For you yourselves know perfectly well that the day of the Lord comes like a thief in the night.
3 [At a future time] many people will say, “[All is] peaceful and [we are] safe!” Then suddenly the Lord Jesus will come to punish people severely! Just like a pregnant woman who [experiences] birth pains [cannot stop those pains], those people will definitely not [have any way to] escape [their punishment].
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 [Just like people] in the dark [are unaware of what is happening around them, most people will not be aware of what is about to happen to them] [MET, PRS]. Just like a thief [comes unexpectedly for people who are unaware, that time of punishment will come when people are not expecting it] [SIM]. But you, my fellow believers, are people who are very much aware [LIT] of what is going to happen. As a result, you will be expecting [LIT] those things [MTY] to happen [PRS]. All of us [believers] are people [IDM] [who do what is right, as people usually do in] the daytime [MET] [when their actions can be seen]. We are not [people who do evil things, as some people do when it is] dark [MET].
But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that daylight should surprise you like a thief;
for all of you are sons of Light and sons of the day. We belong neither to the night nor to darkness.
6 So we believers must be aware of what is happening. We must be watching carefully, [as people who are awake watch for a thief] [MET]. We must be self-controlled, as people who are (sober/not drunk) are able to control what they do [MET]. People who sleep [MET] [are unaware of what is happening, and unbelievers are like that].
So then let us not sleep, like the rest of the world, but let us keep awake and be sober.
7 It is at night when people become drunk [and they do very wrong actions/things, and are unaware of what is happening because they] are asleep.
For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who drink freely, drink at night.
8 But we believers are people who [should do what is right] [MET], so we must be self-controlled, [as people] in the daytime [are usually not drunk and are able to control what they do] [MET]. [As Roman soldiers protect themselves by] putting on breastplates and helmets [MET], we [believers] must [protect ourselves by continuing to] trust and love [the Lord Jesus] and by continuing to confidently expect that he will save [us from God’s punishing us at the time when he will punish other people].
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 When God chose us, he did not plan for us to [be people whom he will severely] punish [MTY]. On the contrary, [he decided] that he would save us because of [our trusting in what] our Lord Jesus Christ [has done for us].
For God has not pre-destined us to meet His anger, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ;
10 Jesus died [to atone/pay] for our [sins] in order that we might be able to live together with him, whether we are alive [MET] or whether we are dead [EUP] [when he returns to earth].
who died on our behalf, so that whether we are awake or are sleeping we may share His Life.
11 Because [you know that this is true], continue to encourage/comfort each other, as indeed you now are doing.
Therefore encourage one another, and let each one help to strengthen his friend, as in fact you do.
12 My fellow believers, we [three] ask that you recognize/honor [as leaders] those people who work hard for you. [Specifically], respect those who lead you as fellow believers who (have a close relationship with/are united to) the Lord [Jesus]. They warn you [to stop doing what is wrong] (OR, they teach you [to do what is right]).
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 That is, we [ask that you] consider those leaders to be very important and that you love them, because they work [hard to help you]. We also urge you to live peacefully with each other.
and to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. Be at peace among yourselves.
14 My fellow believers, we urge that you warn [believers] who will not work [in order to] ([obtain/earn the money to buy]) [things that they need to live. Tell them that they are behaving wrongly]. We urge you that you encourage [believers] who are fearful (OR, discouraged), and that you help all people who are weak [in any way]. We also urge you to 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 that none [of you] does evil things to anyone [who has done] evil to you. On the contrary, you must always try to do good [things] for each other (OR, to fellow believers) and to everyone else.
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 Be joyful (at all times/always),
Be always joyful.
17 pray continually,
Be unceasing in prayer.
18 and thank [God] (in all [circumstances/] [of what happens]). God wants you [to behave] like that [because of what] Christ Jesus [has done for you] (OR, because you have a close relationship with Christ Jesus).
In every circumstance of life be thankful; for this is God's will in Christ Jesus respecting you.
19 Do not [refuse the urging from God’s] Spirit [when he is working] [MTY] [among you. That would be like] throwing water on [a fire] [MET]!
Do not quench the Spirit.
20 [Specifically], do not despise messages that the Holy Spirit reveals to someone, [and reject them automatically].
Do not think meanly of utterances of prophecy;
21 On the contrary, evaluate all [such messages]. Accept the [messages that are truly from God, and obey them].
but test all such, and retain hold of the good.
22 Do not obey any kind of evil [message].
Hold yourselves aloof from every form of evil.
23 [We pray to] God that he will change you to become more and more like his people should be. He is the one who causes [his people] to have [inner] peace. [That is, we pray] that he will help you so that in all that you think, in all that you desire, and in all that you do, you will be without fault. We ask him that he will keep doing that [until] our Lord Jesus Christ comes back [to earth].
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 [Because God] has invited you [to be his people, you can] certainly trust him to keep on helping you to do that.
Faithful is He who calls you, and He will also perfect His work.
25 My fellow believers, pray for me and for Silas and for Timothy.
Brethren, pray for us.
26 [When you gather together as believers], greet each other affectionately, as fellow believers [should].
Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss.
27 Make certain that you read this letter to all the believers who may be absent when you read it at first, [knowing that] the Lord [Jesus wants you to do it].
I solemnly charge you in the Lord's name to have this Letter read to all the brethren.
28 [I pray that] our Lord Jesus Christ [will continue to act] kindly toward you all.
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
