1 Thessalonians 5

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

But as to the times and the moments, there is no need, Brothers, for any one to write 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 well that the Day of the Lord will come just as a thief comes 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.

When people are saying ‘All is quiet and safe,’ it is then that, like birth-pains upon a woman with child, Ruin comes suddenly upon them, and there will be no escape!

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

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

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

For you all are ‘Sons of Light’ and ‘Sons of the Day.’ We have nothing to do with night, or darkness.

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

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

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

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

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 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 because God has not set us for wrath, but for obtaining 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 has died for us, that whether we may be watching or sleep, we may live together with him.

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

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

Therefore encourage one another, and try to build up one another’s characters, 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,

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

13 and to regard them exceedingly in love on account of their work. Be in 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 But we exhort you, brethren, admonish the disorderly, comfort the faint-hearted, sustain the weak, be patient towards all.

We entreat you also, Brothers — warn the disorderly, comfort the faint-hearted, give a helping hand to the weak, and be patient with every one.

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 pays back wrong for wrong, but always follow the kindest course with one another and with every one.

16 rejoice always;

Always be joyful;

17 pray unceasingly;

never cease to pray;

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

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

19 quench not the Spirit;

Do not quench the Spirit;

20 do not lightly esteem prophecies;

do not make light of preaching.

21 but prove all things, hold fast the right;

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

22 hold aloof from every form of wickedness.

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

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

25 Brethren, pray for us.

Brothers, pray for us.

26 Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss.

Greet all the Brothers with a sacred kiss.

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

I adjure 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.

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