1 Thessalonians 5
New Living Translation
5 Now concerning how and when all this will happen, dear brothers and sisters,[a] we don’t really need to write you. 2 For you know quite well that the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night. 3 When people are saying, “Everything is peaceful and secure,” then disaster will fall on them as suddenly as a pregnant woman’s labor pains begin. And there will be no escape.
4 But you aren’t in the dark about these things, dear brothers and sisters, and you won’t be surprised when the day of the Lord comes like a thief.[b] 5 For you are all children of the light and of the day; we don’t belong to darkness and night. 6 So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded. 7 Night is the time when people sleep and drinkers get drunk. 8 But let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation.
9 For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us. 10 Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever. 11 So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.
Paul’s Final Advice
12 Dear brothers and sisters, honor those who are your leaders in the Lord’s work. They work hard among you and give you spiritual guidance. 13 Show them great respect and wholehearted love because of their work. And live peacefully with each other.
14 Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone.
15 See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people.
16 Always be joyful. 17 Never stop praying. 18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
19 Do not stifle the Holy Spirit. 20 Do not scoff at prophecies, 21 but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. 22 Stay away from every kind of evil.
Paul’s Final Greetings
23 Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. 24 God will make this happen, for he who calls you is faithful.
25 Dear brothers and sisters, pray for us.
26 Greet all the brothers and sisters with a sacred kiss.
27 I command you in the name of the Lord to read this letter to all the brothers and sisters.
28 May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
1 Thessalonians 5
New American Standard Bible
The Day of the Lord
5 Now as to the (A)periods and [a]times, brothers and sisters, you (B)have no need of anything to be written to you. 2 For you yourselves know full well that (C)the day of the Lord is coming (D)just like a thief in the night. 3 While they are saying, “(E)Peace and safety!” then (F)sudden destruction [b]will come upon them like (G)labor pains upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 4 But you, brothers and sisters, are not in (H)darkness, so that the day would overtake you [c](I)like a thief; 5 for you are all (J)sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of (K)darkness; 6 so then, let’s not (L)sleep as [d](M)others do, but let’s be alert and [e](N)sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who are drunk, (O)get drunk at night. 8 But since (P)we are of the day, let’s (Q)be [f]sober, having put on the (R)breastplate of (S)faith and love, and as a (T)helmet, the (U)hope of salvation. 9 For God has not destined us for (V)wrath, but for (W)obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 (X)who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him. 11 Therefore, [g]encourage one another and (Y)build one another up, just as you also are doing.
Christian Conduct
12 But we ask you, brothers and sisters, to (Z)recognize those (AA)who diligently labor among you and [h](AB)are in leadership over you in the Lord, and give you [i]instruction, 13 and that you regard them very highly in love because of their work. (AC)Live in peace with one another. 14 We urge you, brothers and sisters, admonish (AD)the [j]unruly, encourage (AE)the fainthearted, help (AF)the weak, be (AG)patient with everyone. 15 See that (AH)no one repays another with evil for evil, but always (AI)seek what is good for one another and for all people. 16 (AJ)Rejoice always, 17 (AK)pray without ceasing, 18 in everything (AL)give thanks; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus. 19 (AM)Do not quench the Spirit, 20 do not utterly reject [k](AN)prophecies, 21 but (AO)examine everything; (AP)hold firmly to that which is good, 22 abstain from every [l]form of evil.
23 Now (AQ)may the God of peace (AR)Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your (AS)spirit and soul and body be kept complete, (AT)without blame at (AU)the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 (AV)Faithful is He who (AW)calls you, and He also will do it.
25 Brothers and sisters, (AX)pray for us[m].
26 (AY)Greet all the brothers and sisters with a holy kiss. 27 I put you under oath by the Lord to (AZ)have this letter read to all the (BA)brothers and sisters.
28 (BB)May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
Footnotes
- 1 Thessalonians 5:1 I.e., the end times
- 1 Thessalonians 5:3 Lit is coming
- 1 Thessalonians 5:4 One early ms like thieves
- 1 Thessalonians 5:6 Lit the rest (of mankind)
- 1 Thessalonians 5:6 Or self-controlled
- 1 Thessalonians 5:8 Or self-controlled
- 1 Thessalonians 5:11 Or comfort
- 1 Thessalonians 5:12 Or care for you
- 1 Thessalonians 5:12 Or admonition
- 1 Thessalonians 5:14 Or undisciplined
- 1 Thessalonians 5:20 Or prophetic gifts
- 1 Thessalonians 5:22 Or appearance
- 1 Thessalonians 5:25 Two early mss add also
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.
