1 Thessalonians 5:1-18

King James Version

5 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.

²For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.

³For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.

⁴But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.

⁵Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.

⁶Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.

⁷For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.

⁸But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.

⁹For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

¹⁰Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.

¹¹Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

¹²And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;

¹³And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves.

¹⁴Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.

¹⁵See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.

¹⁶Rejoice evermore.

¹⁷Pray without ceasing.

¹⁸In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

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1 Thessalonians 5:1-18

New International Version

The Day of the Lord

5 Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates^(A) we do not need to write to you,^(B) ²for you know very well that the day of the Lord^(C) will come like a thief in the night.^(D) ³While people are saying, “Peace and safety,”^(E) destruction will come on them suddenly,^(F) as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.^(G)

⁴But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness^(H) so that this day should surprise you like a thief.^(I) ⁵You are all children of the light^(J) and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. ⁶So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep,^(K) but let us be awake^(L) and sober.^(M) ⁷For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night.^(N) ⁸But since we belong to the day,^(O) let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate,^(P) and the hope of salvation^(Q) as a helmet.^(R) ⁹For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath^(S) but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.^(T) ¹⁰He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him.^(U) ¹¹Therefore encourage one another^(V) and build each other up,^(W) just as in fact you are doing.

Final Instructions

¹²Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard^(X) among you, who care for you in the Lord^(Y) and who admonish you. ¹³Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.^(Z) ¹⁴And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle^(AA) and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak,^(AB) be patient with everyone. ¹⁵Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong,^(AC) but always strive to do what is good for each other^(AD) and for everyone else.