1 Thessalonians 5

Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you,

Now as to the ^[a]times and dates, ^[b]brothers and sisters, you have no need for anything to be written to you.

for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.

For you yourselves know perfectly well that the day of the [return of the] Lord is coming just as a thief [comes unexpectedly and suddenly] in the night.

While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

While they are saying, “Peace and safety [all is well and secure!]” then [in a moment unforeseen] destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains on a woman with child, and they will absolutely not escape [for there will be no way to escape the judgment of the Lord].

But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief.

But you, ^[c]believers, [all you who believe in Christ as Savior and acknowledge Him as God’s Son] are not in spiritual darkness [nor held by its power], that the day [of judgment] would overtake you [by surprise] like a thief;

You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness.

for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We do not belong to the night nor to darkness.

So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober.

So then let us not sleep [in spiritual indifference] as the rest [of the world does], but let us keep wide awake [alert and cautious] and let us be sober [self-controlled, calm, and wise].

For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night.

For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who are drunk get drunk at night.

But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.

But since we [believers] belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope and confident assurance of salvation.

For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.

For God has not destined us to [incur His] wrath [that is, He did not select us to condemn us], but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,

He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him.

who died [willingly] for us, so that whether we are awake (alive) or asleep (dead) [at Christ’s appearing], we will live together with Him [sharing eternal life].

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

Final Instructions

Therefore encourage and comfort one another and build up one another, just as you are doing.

Christian Conduct

Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you.

Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to appreciate those who diligently work among you [recognize, acknowledge, and respect your leaders], who are in charge over you in the Lord and who give you instruction,

Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.

and [we ask that you appreciate them and] hold them in the highest esteem in love because of their work [on your behalf]. Live in peace with one another.

And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone.

We [earnestly] urge you, believers, admonish those who are out of line [the undisciplined, the unruly, the disorderly], encourage the timid [who lack spiritual courage], help the [spiritually] weak, be very patient with everyone [always controlling your temper].

Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.

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

Rejoice always,

Rejoice always and delight in your faith;

pray continually,

be unceasing and persistent in prayer;

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

in every situation [no matter what the circumstances] be thankful and continually give thanks to God; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.

Do not quench the Spirit.

Do not quench [subdue, or be unresponsive to the working and guidance of] the [Holy] Spirit.

Do not treat prophecies with contempt

Do not scorn or reject gifts of prophecy or prophecies [spoken revelations—words of instruction or exhortation or warning].

but test them all; hold on to what is good,

But test ^[d]all things carefully [so you can recognize what is good]. Hold firmly to that which is good.

reject every kind of evil.

Abstain from every form of evil [withdraw and keep away from it].

May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you through and through [that is, separate you from profane and vulgar things, make you pure and whole and undamaged—consecrated to Him—set apart for His purpose]; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept complete and [be found] blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.

Faithful and absolutely trustworthy is He who is calling you [to Himself for your salvation], and He will do it [He will fulfill His call by making you holy, guarding you, watching over you, and protecting you as His own].

Brothers and sisters, pray for us.

Brothers and sisters, pray for us.

Greet all God’s people with a holy kiss.

Greet all the believers with a holy ^[e]kiss [as brothers and sisters in God’s family].

I charge you before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers and sisters.

I solemnly charge you by the Lord to have this letter read before all the ^[f]congregation.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.