1 Thessalonians 5

1 But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that ye should be written to,

Now as to the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need that anything be written to you.

2 for ye know perfectly well yourselves, that the day of [the] Lord so comes as a thief by night.

You yourselves know perfectly that the Day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night.

3 When they may say, Peace and safety, then sudden destruction comes upon them, as travail upon her that is with child; and they shall in no wise escape.

While men are saying "Peace and safety," then, like birth-pangs upon a woman with child, destruction will come upon them suddenly. In no wise will they escape.

4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day should overtake you as a thief:

But you, brothers, are not in darkness, that "the Day" should come upon you like a bandit.

5 for all ye are sons of light and sons of day; we are not of night nor of darkness.

For you are all sons of light, and sons of day. We are not of night nor of darkness.

6 So then do not let us sleep as the rest do, but let us watch and be sober;

So then let us not be sleeping as do the rest, but let us be watchful and self-controlled.

7 for they that sleep sleep by night, and they that drink drink by night;

For those who are sleeping, sleep in the night, and those who are drunken, are drunken in the night.

8 but we being of [the] day, let us be sober, putting on [the] breastplate of faith and love, and as helmet [the] hope of salvation;

But let us who are of the day be self-controlled, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for a helmet, the hope of salvation.

9 because God has not set us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,

For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to win salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.

10 who has died for us, that whether we may be watching or sleep, we may live together with him.

He died for us, in order that whether we are keeping vigil in life or sleeping in death we may ever be living together with him.

11 Wherefore encourage one another, and build up each one the other, even as also ye do.

So comfort one another, and try to build one another up, as indeed you are doing.

12 But we beg you, brethren, to know those who labour among you, and take the lead among you in [the] Lord, and admonish you,

I entreat you, brothers, to acknowledge those who are toiling among you and are your leaders in the Lord, and give you counsel.

13 and to regard them exceedingly in love on account of their work. Be in peace among yourselves.

Esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. Live in peace among yourselves.

14 But we exhort you, brethren, admonish the disorderly, comfort the faint-hearted, sustain the weak, be patient towards all.

And, brothers, we urge you to admonish the disorderly, comfort the faint-hearted, sustain the weak, lose patience with none.

15 See that no one render to any evil for evil, but pursue always what is good towards one another and towards all;

Take care that none of you ever return evil for evil, but always pursue what is kind to one another and to all.

16 rejoice always;

Always be joyful.

17 pray unceasingly;

Pray without ceasing.

18 in everything give thanks, for this is [the] will of God in Christ Jesus towards you;

Give thanks in every circumstance, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.

19 quench not the Spirit;

Quench not the Spirit.

20 do not lightly esteem prophecies;

Do not despise prophesyings.

21 but prove all things, hold fast the right;

But try all, holding fast to the good.

22 hold aloof from every form of wickedness.

Hold aloof from every form of evil.

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

May the God of peace consecrate you wholly; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept altogether faultless until the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

24 He [is] faithful who calls you, who will also perform [it].

He who calls you is faithful; he will fulfil my prayer.

25 Brethren, pray for us.

Brothers, pray for me.

26 Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss.

Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss.

27 I adjure you by the Lord that the letter be read to all the [holy] brethren.

I adjure you, in the name of the Lord, to have this letter read to all the brothers.

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

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.