Thessalonicenses I 5
1 De temporibus autem, et momentis fratres non indigetis ut scribamus vobis.
But as to the times and the moments, there is no need, friends, for anyone to write to you.
2 Ipsi enim diligenter scitis quia dies Domini, sicut fur in nocte, ita veniet.
You yourselves know well that the day of the Lord will come just as a thief comes in the night.
3 cum enim dixerint pax, et securitas: tunc repentinus eis superveniet interitus, sicut dolor in utero habentis, et non effugient.
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 Vos autem fratres non estis in tenebris, ut vos dies illa tamquam fur comprehendat:
You, however, friends, are not in darkness, that the daylight should take you by surprise as if you were thieves.
5 omnes enim vos filii lucis estis, et filii diei: non sumus noctis, neque tenebrarum.
For you all are children of light and children of the day. We have nothing to do with night, or darkness.
6 Igitur non dormiamus sicut et ceteri, sed vigilemus, et sobrii simus.
Therefore let us not sleep as others do. No, let us be watchful and self-controlled.
7 Qui enim dormiunt, nocte dormiunt: et qui ebrii sunt, nocte ebrii sunt.
It is at night that people sleep, and at night that drunkards get drunk.
8 Nos autem, qui diei sumus, sobrii simus, induti loricam fidei, et charitatis, et galeam spem salutis:
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 quoniam non posuit nos Deus in iram, sed in acquisitionem salutis per Dominum nostrum Iesum Christum,
For God destined us, not for wrath, but to win salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us,
10 qui mortuus est pro nobis: ut sive vigilemus, sive dormiamus, simul cum illo vivamus.
that, whether we are still watching or have fallen asleep, we may live with him.
11 Propter quod consolamini invicem: et aedificate alterutrum, sicut et facitis.
Therefore encourage one another, and try to build up one another’s characters, as indeed you are doing.
12 Rogamus autem vos fratres ut noveritis eos, qui laborant inter vos, et praesunt vobis in Domino, et monent vos,
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 ut habeatis illos abundantius in charitate propter opus illorum: et pacem habete cum eis.
Hold them in the very greatest esteem and affection for the sake of their work. Live at peace with one another.
14 Rogamus autem vos fratres, corripite inquietos, consolamini pusillanimes, suscipite infirmos, patientes estote ad omnes.
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 Videte ne quis malum pro malo alicui reddat: sed semper quod bonum est sectamini in invicem, et in omnes.
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 Semper gaudete.
Always be joyful;
17 Sine intermissione orate.
never cease to pray;
18 In omnibus gratias agite: haec est enim voluntas Dei in Christo Iesu in omnibus vobis.
under all circumstances give thanks to God. For this is his will for you as made known in Christ Jesus.
19 Spiritum nolite extinguere.
Do not quench the Spirit;
20 Prophetias nolite spernere.
do not make light of preaching.
21 Omnia autem probate: quod bonum est tenete.
Bring everything to the test; cling to what is good;
22 Ab omni specie mala abstinete vos:
shun every form of evil.
23 Ipse autem Deus pacis sanctificet vos per omnia: ut integer spiritus vester, et anima, et corpus sine querela in adventu Domini nostri Iesu Christi conservetur.
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 Fidelis est, qui vocavit vos: qui etiam faciet.
He who calls you will not fail you; he will complete his work.
25 Fratres orate pro nobis.
Friends, pray for us.
26 Salutate fratres omnes in osculo sancto.
Greet all the Lord’s followers with a sacred kiss.
27 Adiuro vos per Dominum ut legatur epistola haec omnibus sanctis fratribus.
I order you in the Lord’s name to have this letter read to all the brethren.
28 Gratia Domini nostri Iesu Christi vobiscum. Amen.
May the blessing of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
