¹⁴ “‘The days are coming,’ declares the Lord, ‘when I will fulfill the good promise^(A) I made to the people of Israel and Judah.

¹² May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other^(A) and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. ¹³ May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless^(B) and holy in the presence of our God and Father^(C) when our Lord Jesus comes^(D) with all his holy ones.^(E)

Living to Please God

4 As for other matters, brothers and sisters,^(F) we instructed you how to live^(G) in order to please God,^(H) as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more. ² For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus.

²⁵ “There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea.^{(A) 26} People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken.^{(B) 27} At that time they will see the Son of Man^(C) coming in a cloud^(D) with power and great glory. ²⁸ When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”^(E)

³⁴ “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life,^(A) and that day will close on you suddenly^(B) like a trap. ³⁵ For it will come on all those who live on the face of the whole earth. ³⁶ Be always on the watch, and pray^(C) that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.”