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 aber und Stunden, liebe Brüder, ist nicht not, euch 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].
Denn ihr selbst wisset gewiß, daß der Tag des HERRN wird kommen 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].
Denn wenn sie werden sagen: Es ist Friede, es hat keine Gefahr! so wird sie das Verderben schnell überfallen, gleich wie der Schmerz ein schwanger Weib, und werden nicht entfliehen.
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, seid nicht in der Finsternis, daß euch der Tag wie ein Dieb ergreife.
Ihr seid allzumal Kinder des Lichts und Kinder des Tages; wir sind nicht von der Nacht noch von 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 lasset uns nun nicht schlafen wie die andern, sondern lasset uns wachen und nüchtern sein.
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.
Denn die da schlafen, die schlafen des Nachts, und die da trunken sind, die sind des Nachts trunken.
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 des Tages sind, sollen nüchtern sein, angetan mit dem Krebs des Glaubens und der Liebe und mit dem Helm der Hoffnung zur Seligkeit.
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 gesetzt zum Zorn, sondern die Seligkeit zu besitzen durch unsern HERRN Jesum Christum,
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, auf daß, wir wachen oder schlafen, wir zugleich mit ihm leben sollen.
11 Because [you know that this is true], continue to encourage/comfort each other, as indeed you now are doing.
Darum ermahnet euch untereinander und bauet einer den andern, wie ihr denn 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 aber, liebe Brüder, daß ihr erkennet, die an euch arbeiten und euch vorstehen in dem HERRN und euch vermahnen.
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.
Habt sie desto lieber um ihres Werks willen und seid friedsam mit ihnen.
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.
Wir ermahnen euch aber, liebe Brüder, vermahnet die Ungezogenen, tröstet die Kleinmütigen, traget die Schwachen, seid geduldig gegen jedermann.
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.
Sehet zu, daß niemand Böses mit Bösem jemand vergelte, sondern allezeit jaget dem Guten nach, beide, untereinander und gegen jedermann.
16 Be joyful (at all times/always),
Seid allezeit fröhlich!
17 pray continually,
Betet ohne Unterlaß!
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).
Seid dankbar in allen Dingen; denn das ist der Wille Gottes in Christo Jesu an euch.
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]!
Den Geist dämpfet nicht!
20 [Specifically], do not despise messages that the Holy Spirit reveals to someone, [and reject them automatically].
Die Weissagung verachtet nicht!
21 On the contrary, evaluate all [such messages]. Accept the [messages that are truly from God, and obey them].
prüfet aber alles und das Gute behaltet!
22 Do not obey any kind of evil [message].
Meidet allen bösen Schein!
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 aber, der Gott des Friedens, heilige euch durch und durch, und euer Geist ganz samt der Seele und Leib müsse behalten werden unsträflich auf die Zukunft unsers HERRN Jesu Christi.
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 er, der euch rufet, welcher wird's auch tun.
25 My fellow believers, pray for me and for Silas and for Timothy.
Liebe Brüder, betet für uns!
26 [When you gather together as believers], greet each other affectionately, as fellow believers [should].
Grüßet alle Brüder mit dem heiligen Kuß.
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 bei dem HERRN, daß ihr diesen Brief lesen lasset allen heiligen Brüdern.
28 [I pray that] our Lord Jesus Christ [will continue to act] kindly toward you all.
Die Gnade unsers HERRN Jesu Christi sei mit euch! Amen.
