1 Thessalonians 5

Be Ready for the Lord’s Coming

1 Now, brothers and sisters, we do not need to write you about times and dates.2 You know very well that the day the Lord comes again will be a surprise, like a thief that comes in the night.3 While people are saying, “We have peace and we are safe,” they will be destroyed quickly. It is like pains that come quickly to a woman having a baby. Those people will not escape.4 But you, brothers and sisters, are not living in darkness, and so that day will not surprise you like a thief.5 You are all people who belong to the light and to the day. We do not belong to the night or to darkness.6 So we should not be like other people who are sleeping, but we should be alert and have self-control.7 Those who sleep, sleep at night. Those who get drunk, get drunk at night.8 But we belong to the day, so we should control ourselves. We should wear faith and love to protect us, and the hope of salvation should be our helmet.9 God did not choose us to suffer his anger but to have salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.10 Jesus died for us so that we can live together with him, whether we are alive or dead when he comes.

11 So encourage each other and give each other strength, just as you are doing now.

Final Instructions and Greetings

12 Now, brothers and sisters, we ask you to appreciate those who work hard among you, who lead you in the Lord and teach you.

13 Respect them with a very special love because of the work they do.
Live in peace with each other.14 We ask you, brothers and sisters, to warn those who do not work. Encourage the people who are afraid. Help those who are weak. Be patient with everyone.

15 Be sure that no one pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to do what is good for each other and for all people.
16 Always be joyful.17 Pray continually,

18 and give thanks whatever happens. That is what God wants for you in Christ Jesus.
19 Do not hold back the work of the Holy Spirit.20 Do not treat prophecy as if it were unimportant.21 But test everything. Keep what is good,

22 and stay away from everything that is evil.
23 Now may God himself, the God of peace, make you pure, belonging only to him. May your whole self—spirit, soul, and body—be kept safe and without fault when our Lord Jesus Christ comes.

24 You can trust the One who calls you to do that for you.

25 Brothers and sisters, pray for us.
26 Give each other a holy kiss when you meet.

27 I tell you by the authority of the Lord to read this letter to all the believers.
28 The grace of our Lord 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.