主來的日子

弟兄姊妹,這件事會在什麼日期、什麼時候發生,不必我寫信告訴你們, 因為你們已經清楚知道,將來有一天,主會突然來到,像賊在夜裡忽然出現一樣。 當人們正在說一切平安穩妥的時候,災禍會像產痛臨到孕婦一樣突然臨到他們,令他們無法逃脫。

然而,弟兄姊妹,你們不是活在黑暗裡,因此那日子不會像賊一樣突然臨到你們。 你們都是光明之子,白晝之子。我們既不屬於黑夜,也不屬於黑暗。 所以不要像其他人一樣沉睡,要警醒戒備, 因為睡覺的人是在夜裡睡,醉酒的人是在夜裡醉。 我們既屬於白晝,就應當保持清醒,要把信心和愛心當作護心鏡遮胸,把得救的盼望當作頭盔戴上。 因為上帝不是預定我們受懲罰,而是預定我們靠著主耶穌基督得救。 10 主替我們死,使我們無論是醒是睡[a],都可以與祂同活。 11 所以,你們要彼此鼓勵、互相造就,正如你們一向所做的。

勸勉與問候

12 弟兄姊妹,我勸你們要敬重那些在你們當中辛勤工作、在主裡領導和勸誡你們的人。 13 因為他們的工作,你們要懷著愛心格外敬重他們。你們要彼此和睦相處。 14 此外,我勸你們要告誡懶惰的人,鼓勵灰心的人,扶持軟弱的人,耐心對待所有的人。 15 你們要小心,誰都不可冤冤相報,總要彼此善待,也要善待眾人。

16 要常常喜樂, 17 不斷地禱告, 18 凡事謝恩,因為這是上帝在基督耶穌裡給你們的旨意。

19 不要抑制聖靈的感動, 20 不要輕視先知的信息。 21 凡事都要小心察驗,持守良善的事, 22 杜絕所有的惡事。

23 願賜平安的上帝使你們完全聖潔!願祂保守你們的靈、魂、體,使你們在主耶穌基督再來的時候無可指責! 24 呼召你們的主是信實可靠的,祂必為你們成就這事。

25 弟兄姊妹,請為我們禱告。 26 要以聖潔的吻問候眾弟兄姊妹。 27 最後,我奉主的名吩咐你們把這封信讀給所有弟兄姊妹聽。

28 願我們主耶穌基督的恩典與你們同在!

Footnotes

  1. 5·10 是醒是睡」或譯「是生是死」。

The Day of the Lord

About the times and the seasons:(A) Brothers, you do not need anything to be written to you. For you yourselves know very well that the Day of the Lord(B) will come just like a thief(C) in the night. When they say, “Peace and security,” then sudden destruction(D) comes on them, like labor pains come on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you, brothers, are not in the dark, for this day to overtake you like a thief.(E) For you are all sons of light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or the darkness.(F) So then, we must not sleep, like the rest, but we must stay awake and be serious. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, we must be serious(G) and put the armor(H) of faith and love on our chests, and put on a helmet(I) of the hope of salvation. For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord(J) Jesus Christ,(K) 10 who died for us,(L) so that whether we are awake or asleep,(M) we will live together with Him.(N) 11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up as you are already doing.

Exhortations and Blessings

12 Now we ask you, brothers, to give recognition(O) to those who labor among you and lead you in the Lord and admonish you, 13 and to regard them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace(P) among yourselves. 14 And we exhort you, brothers:(Q) warn those who are irresponsible,[a] comfort the discouraged, help the weak, be patient(R) with everyone. 15 See to it that no one repays evil for evil(S) to anyone,(T) but always pursue what is good for one another and for all.(U)

16 Rejoice(V) always!
17 Pray constantly.
18 Give thanks in everything,
for this is God’s will(W) for you in Christ Jesus.
19 Don’t stifle the Spirit.
20 Don’t despise prophecies,
21 but test all things.(X)
Hold on to what is good.
22 Stay away(Y) from every kind of evil.

23 Now may the God of peace(Z) Himself sanctify you completely. And may your spirit,(AA) soul, and body be kept sound and blameless for the coming(AB) of our Lord(AC) Jesus Christ.(AD) 24 He who calls(AE) you(AF) is faithful, who also will do it. 25 Brothers, pray for us also. 26 Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss. 27 I charge you by the Lord that this letter be read to all the brothers.(AG) 28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Thessalonians 5:14 Or who are disorderly, or who are undisciplined