1 Thessalonians 5

Now as to the times and the epochs, brethren, you have no need of anything to be written to you.

Brothers and sisters, we don’t have to write to you about times and dates.

For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord ^[a]will come just like a thief in the night.

You know very well how the day of the Lord will come. It will come like a thief in the night.

While they are saying, “Peace and safety!” then ^[b]destruction ^[c]will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape.

People will be saying that everything is peaceful and safe. Then suddenly they will be destroyed. It will happen like birth pains coming on a pregnant woman. None of the people will escape.

But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you ^[d]like a thief;

Brothers and sisters, you are not in darkness. So that day should not surprise you as a thief would.

for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of darkness;

All of you are children of the light. You are children of the day. We don’t belong to the night. We don’t belong to the darkness.

so then let us not sleep as ^[e]others do, but let us be alert and ^[f]sober.

So let us not be like the others. They are asleep. Instead, let us be wide awake and in full control of ourselves.

For those who sleep do their sleeping at night, and those who get drunk get drunk at night.

Those who sleep, sleep at night. Those who get drunk, get drunk at night.

But since we are of the day, let us be ^[g]sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation.

But we belong to the day. So let us control ourselves. Let us put on our chest the armor of faith and love. Let us put on the hope of salvation like a helmet.

For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,

God didn’t choose us to receive his anger. He chose us to receive salvation because of what our Lord Jesus Christ has done.

who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him.

Jesus died for us. Some will be alive when he comes. Others will be dead. Either way, we will live together with him.

Therefore ^[h]encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.

Christian Conduct

So encourage one another with the hope you have. Build each other up. In fact, that’s what you are doing.

Final Teachings

But we request of you, brethren, that you ^[i]appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you ^[j]instruction,

Brothers and sisters, we ask you to accept the godly leaders who work hard among you. They care for you in the Lord. They correct you.

and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another.

Have a lot of respect for them. Love them because of what they do. Live in peace with one another.

We urge you, brethren, admonish the ^[k]unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone.

Brothers and sisters, we are asking you to warn certain people. These people don’t want to work. Instead, they make trouble. We are also asking you to encourage those who have lost hope. Help those who are weak. Be patient with everyone.

See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people.

Make sure that no one pays back one wrong act with another. Instead, always try to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.

Rejoice always;

Always be joyful.

pray without ceasing;

Never stop praying.

in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Give thanks no matter what happens. God wants you to thank him because you believe in Christ Jesus.

Do not quench the Spirit;

Don’t try to stop what the Holy Spirit is doing.

do not despise prophetic ^[l]utterances.

Don’t treat prophecies as if they weren’t important.

But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good;

But test all prophecies. Hold on to what is good.

abstain from every ^[m]form of evil.

Say no to every kind of evil.

Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

God is the God who gives peace. May he make you holy through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept free from blame. May you be without blame from now until our Lord Jesus Christ comes.

Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.

The God who has chosen you is faithful. He will do all these things.

Brethren, pray for us^[n].

Brothers and sisters, pray for us.

Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss.

Greet all God’s people with a holy kiss.

I adjure you by the Lord to have this letter read to all the brethren.

While the Lord is watching, here is what I command you. Have this letter read to all the brothers and sisters.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.