1 Thessalonians 5

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

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

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

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

3 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!

Now when they are saying, "Peace and safety," then sudden destruction will come on them, like birth pains on a pregnant woman; and they will in no way escape.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

8 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.

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

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

For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to the obtaining of salvation through our Lord Jesus (the) Messiah,

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

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

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

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

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

But we ask you, brothers, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you,

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

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

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

We exhort you, brothers, admonish the disorderly, encourage the fainthearted, support the weak, be patient toward all.

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

See that no one returns evil for evil to anyone, but always seek what is good both for each other and for all.

16 Always be joyful;

Rejoice always.

17 never cease to pray;

Pray without ceasing.

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

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

19 Do not quench the Spirit;

Do not quench the Spirit.

20 do not make light of preaching.

Do not treat prophecies with contempt,

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

but test all things; hold firmly that which is good.

22 shun every form of evil.

Abstain from every form of evil.

23 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.

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 (the) Messiah.

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

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

25 Friends, pray for us.

Brothers, pray for us also.

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

Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss.

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

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

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

The grace of our Lord Jesus (the) Messiah be with you.