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,
Von den Zeiten und von den Fristen, meine Brüder, braucht man euch nicht zu schreiben.
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].
Ihr wißt selbst recht wohl: Der Tag des Herrn kommt wie ein Dieb in der Nacht.
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].
Wenn man noch von Frieden und von Sichersein spricht, bricht plötzlich das Verderben über einen her, gleichwie die Wehen über eine Schwangere; sie werden sicher nicht entrinnen.
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].
Ihr aber, liebe Brüder, bleibt nicht in Finsternis, damit jener Tag euch nicht einem Diebe gleich überrasche.
Ihr alle seid Söhne des Lichtes und Söhne des Tages; wir gehören nicht der Nacht an und nicht der Finsternis.
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 laßt uns also nicht schlafen, wie die übrigen; wir wollen vielmehr wachsam sein und nüchtern.
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.
Wer schläft, der schläft bei Nacht, wer trunken ist, der ist bei Nacht betrunken.
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].
Wir aber, die wir dem Tage angehören, wir wollen nüchtern sein, wir wollen mit dem Panzer des Glaubens und der Liebe uns bewaffnen und mit dem Helm der Hoffnung auf das Heil.
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].
Denn Gott hat uns nicht zum Zorne bestimmt, sondern daß wir das Heil erlangen durch unseren Herrn Jesus Christus,
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].
der für uns gestorben ist, damit wir, mögen wir wachen oder entschlafen sein, mit ihm vereinigt leben.
11 Because [you know that this is true], continue to encourage/comfort each other, as indeed you now are doing.
Darum ermahnt und erbaut einander, so wie ihr es ja auch bisher schon tut.
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]).
Wir bitten euch, Brüder, zollt denen Anerkennung, die sich bei euch abmühen und eure Vorsteher und Seelsorger im Herrn sind.
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.
Schätzt sie in liebevollem Sinne ganz besonders hoch um ihres Wirkens willen. Lebt im Frieden miteinander.
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.
Liebe Brüder, wir ermahnen euch, weist Unbotmäßige zurecht und tröstet die Kleinmütigen, nehmt euch der Schwachen an und habt Geduld mit allen.
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.
Seht zu, daß keiner Böses mit Bösem vergelte; strebt vielmehr allezeit danach, euch gegenseitig und allen anderen Gutes zu erweisen.
16 Be joyful (at all times/always),
Freut euch allezeit.
17 pray continually,
Betet ohne Unterlaß. Seid in jeder Lage dankbar.
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).
Denn das will Gott von euch in Christus Jesus.
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]!
Löscht den Geist nicht aus.
20 [Specifically], do not despise messages that the Holy Spirit reveals to someone, [and reject them automatically].
Weist prophetische Rede nicht verächtlich zurück.
21 On the contrary, evaluate all [such messages]. Accept the [messages that are truly from God, and obey them].
Prüft alles; das, was gut ist, behaltet.
22 Do not obey any kind of evil [message].
Haltet euch fern jeder schlechten Art.
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].
Er selbst aber, der Gott des Friedens, heilige euch in vollem Maße. Euer Geist und eure Seele und euer Leib bleibe makellos bis zur Ankunft unseres Herrn Jesus Christus.
24 [Because God] has invited you [to be his people, you can] certainly trust him to keep on helping you to do that.
Getreu ist, der euch berufen hat; er wird es auch vollenden.
25 My fellow believers, pray for me and for Silas and for Timothy.
Liebe Brüder, betet auch für uns.
26 [When you gather together as believers], greet each other affectionately, as fellow believers [should].
Grüßt mit heiligem Kusse alle Brüder!
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].
Ich beschwöre euch beim Herrn: Laßt allen heiligen Brüdern diesen Brief vorlesen.
28 [I pray that] our Lord Jesus Christ [will continue to act] kindly toward you all.
Die Gnade unseres Herrn Jesus Christus sei mit euch. Amen.
