Be Ready for the Lord’s Coming

5 Now, brothers and sisters, we do not need to write you about times and ·dates [seasons; ^Crelated to end-time events]. ² You know ·very well [accurately] that the ·day the Lord comes again [^Lday of the Lord; ^Cthe time of Christ’s return and the judgments associated with it] will ·be a surprise, like a thief that comes in the night [^Lcome like a thief in the night]. ³ While people are saying, “·We have peace and we are safe [^LPeace and safety/security],” they will be destroyed ·quickly [suddenly]. It is like pains that come quickly to a woman having a baby. Those people will not escape. ⁴ But you, brothers and sisters, are not ·living in darkness [^Lin darkness], and so that day will not ·surprise you [or overtake you] like a thief. ⁵ [^LFor] You are all ·people who belong to the light [^Lchildren/sons of the light] and ·who belong to [^Lchildren/sons of] the day. We do not belong to the night or to darkness. ⁶ So we should not be like other people who are sleeping [^Cspiritually], but we should be ·alert [awake] and ·have self-control [sober]. ⁷ [^LFor] Those who sleep sleep at night. Those who get drunk get drunk at night. ⁸ But we belong to the day, so we should ·control ourselves [be sober]. We should ·wear faith and love to protect us [^Lput on the breastplate/body armor of faith and love], and the hope of salvation should be our helmet [Is. 59:17]. ⁹ God did not ·choose [appoint; destine] us ·to suffer his anger [^Lfor wrath] but to ·have [receive; gain; possess] salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. ¹⁰ ·Jesus [^L…who] died for us so that we can live together with him, whether we are ·alive [^Lawake] or ·dead [^Lasleep] when he comes. ¹¹ So encourage each other and ·give each other strength [build each other up], just as you are doing now.

Final Instructions and Greetings

¹² Now, brothers and sisters, we ask you to ·appreciate [acknowledge; respect] those who work hard among you, who ·lead [or care for] you in the Lord and ·teach [instruct; admonish] you. ¹³ ·Respect [Regard; Esteem] them ·with a very special [or very highly with your] love because of the work they do.

Live in peace with each other. ¹⁴ We ·ask [urge; exhort; encourage] you, brothers and sisters, to ·warn [admonish; rebuke] those who ·do not work [are idle; or are undisciplined]. ·Encourage [Comfort] the people who are ·afraid [apprehensive; fainthearted; discouraged]. Help those who are weak. Be patient with everyone. ¹⁵ ·Be sure [See to it] that no one pays back ·wrong [evil] for ·wrong [evil], but always ·try to do [strive for; ^Lpursue] what is good for each other and for all people.

¹⁶ Always ·be joyful [rejoice]. ¹⁷ Pray ·continually [without ceasing], ¹⁸ and give thanks ·whatever happens [in all circumstances; in everything]. That is ·what God wants [God’s will] for you in Christ Jesus.

¹⁹ Do not ·hold back the work of [stifle; quench; extinguish] the Holy Spirit. ²⁰ Do not treat ·prophecy [^Lprophecies; ^Coccurring in the church] ·as if it were unimportant [with contempt]. ²¹ But test everything. ·Keep [Hold on to] what is good, ²² and stay away from ·everything that is [every form/kind of] evil.

²³ Now may God himself, the God of peace, ·make you holy in every way [sanctify you completely/through and through]. May your whole self—spirit, soul, and body—be kept ·faultless [blameless] when our Lord Jesus Christ comes. ²⁴ The One who calls you is ·trustworthy [faithful], and he will ·do this [make this happen].

²⁵ Brothers and sisters, pray for us.

²⁶ Greet all ·believers [^Lthe brothers (and sisters)] with a holy kiss. ²⁷ I ·tell [solemnly charge; adjure] you ·by the authority of [or before; or in] the Lord to read this letter to all the believers.

²⁸ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.