1 Thessalonians 5

1-3 I don't think, friends, that I need to deal with the question of when all this is going to happen. You know as well as I that the day of the Master's coming can't be posted on our calendars. He won't call ahead and make an appointment any more than a burglar would. About the time everybody's walking around complacently, congratulating each other—"We've sure got it made! Now we can take it easy!"—suddenly everything will fall apart. It's going to come as suddenly and inescapably as birth pangs to a pregnant woman.

4-8 But friends, you're not in the dark, so how could you be taken off guard by any of this? You're sons of Light, daughters of Day. We live under wide open skies and know where we stand. So let's not sleepwalk through life like those others. Let's keep our eyes open and be smart. People sleep at night and get drunk at night. But not us! Since we're creatures of Day, let's act like it. Walk out into the daylight sober, dressed up in faith, love, and the hope of salvation.

9-11 God didn't set us up for an angry rejection but for salvation by our Master, Jesus Christ. He died for us, a death that triggered life. Whether we're awake with the living or asleep with the dead, we're alive with him! So speak encouraging words to one another. Build up hope so you'll all be together in this, no one left out, no one left behind. I know you're already doing this; just keep on doing it.

The Way He Wants You to Live

12-13 And now, friends, we ask you to honor those leaders who work so hard for you, who have been given the responsibility of urging and guiding you along in your obedience. Overwhelm them with appreciation and love!

14-15 Get along among yourselves, each of you doing your part. Our counsel is that you warn the freeloaders to get a move on. Gently encourage the stragglers, and reach out for the exhausted, pulling them to their feet. Be patient with each person, attentive to individual needs. And be careful that when you get on each other's nerves you don't snap at each other. Look for the best in each other, and always do your best to bring it out.

16-18 Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live.

19-22 Don't suppress the Spirit, and don't stifle those who have a word from the Master. On the other hand, don't be gullible. Check out everything, and keep only what's good. Throw out anything tainted with evil.

23-24 May God himself, the God who makes everything holy and whole, make you holy and whole, put you together—spirit, soul, and body—and keep you fit for the coming of our Master, Jesus Christ. The One who called you is completely dependable. If he said it, he'll do it!

25-27 Friends, keep up your prayers for us. Greet all the followers of Jesus there with a holy embrace. And make sure this letter gets read to all the brothers and sisters. Don't leave anyone out.

28 The amazing grace of Jesus Christ be with you!

1 Thessalonians 5

1 But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that aught be written unto you.2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.3 When they are saying, Peace and safety, then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall in no wise escape.4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief:5 for ye are all sons of light, and sons of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness;6 so then let us not sleep, as do the rest, but let us watch and be sober.7 For they that sleep sleep in the night: and they that are drunken are drunken in the night.8 But let us, since we are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for a helmet, the hope of salvation.9 For God appointed us not into wrath, but unto the obtaining of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,10 who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.11 Wherefore exhort one another, and build each other up, even as also ye do.12 But we beseech you, brethren, to know them that labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;13 and to esteem them exceeding highly in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves.14 And we exhort you, brethren, admonish the disorderly, encourage the fainthearted, support the weak, be longsuffering toward all.15 See that none render unto any one evil for evil; but always follow after that which is good, one toward another, and toward all.16 Rejoice always;17 pray without ceasing;18 in everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus to you-ward.19 Quench not the Spirit;20 despise not prophesyings;21 prove all things; hold fast that which is good;22 abstain from every form of evil.23 And the God of peace himself sanctify you wholly; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved entire, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who will also do it.25 Brethren, pray for us.26 Salute all the brethren with a holy kiss.27 I adjure you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the brethren.28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.