1 Thessalonians 5

1 But concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need that anything be written to you.

But as to the times and the moments, there is no need, friends, for anyone to write to you.

2 For you yourselves know well that the day of the Lord comes like a thief in the night.

You yourselves know well that the day of the Lord will come just as a thief comes in the night.

3 For when they are saying, “Peace and safety,” then sudden destruction will come on them, like birth pains on a pregnant woman. Then they will in no way escape.

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!

4 But you, brothers, are not in darkness, that the day should overtake you like a thief.

You, however, friends, are not in darkness, that the daylight should take you by surprise as if you were thieves.

5 You are all children of light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night, nor to darkness,

For you all are children of light and children of the day. We have nothing to do with night, or darkness.

6 so then let’s not sleep, as the rest do, but let’s watch and be sober.

Therefore let us not sleep as others do. No, let us be watchful and self-controlled.

7 For those who sleep, sleep in the night; and those who are drunk are drunk in the night.

It is at night that people sleep, and at night that drunkards get drunk.

8 But since we belong to the day, let’s be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet, the hope of salvation.

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.

9 For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to the obtaining of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,

For God destined us, not for wrath, but to win salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us,

10 who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.

that, whether we are still watching or have fallen asleep, we may live with him.

11 Therefore exhort one another, and build each other up, even as you also do.

Therefore encourage one another, and try to build up one another’s characters, as indeed you are doing.

12 But we beg you, brothers, to know those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you,

We beg you, friends, to value those who toil among you, and are your leaders in the Lord’s service, and give you counsel.

13 and to respect and honor them in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves.

Hold them in the very greatest esteem and affection for the sake of their work. Live at peace with one another.

14 We exhort you, brothers: Admonish the disorderly; encourage the faint-hearted; support the weak; be patient toward all.

We entreat you also, friends – warn the disorderly, comfort the faint-hearted, give a helping hand to the weak, and be patient with everyone.

15 See that no one returns evil for evil to anyone, but always follow after that which is good for one another and for all.

Take care that none of you ever pays back wrong for wrong, but always follow the kindest course with one another and with everyone.

16 Always rejoice.

Always be joyful;

17 Pray without ceasing.

never cease to pray;

18 In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus toward you.

under all circumstances give thanks to God. For this is his will for you as made known in Christ Jesus.

19 Do not quench the Spirit.

Do not quench the Spirit;

20 Do not despise prophecies.

do not make light of preaching.

21 Test all things, and hold firmly that which is good.

Bring everything to the test; cling to what is good;

22 Abstain from every form of evil.

shun every form of evil.

23 May the God of peace himself sanctify you completely. May your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

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.

24 He who calls you is faithful, who will also do it.

He who calls you will not fail you; he will complete his work.

25 Brothers, pray for us.

Friends, pray for us.

26 Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss.

Greet all the Lord’s followers with a sacred kiss.

27 I solemnly command you by the Lord that this letter be read to all the holy brothers.

I order you in the Lord’s name to have this letter read to all the brethren.

28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

May the blessing of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.