Instruction Concerning the Signs of the End Times

5 Concerning the times and dates, brothers, there is no need to write to you, ² for you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. ³ When people are saying, “Peace and security,” destruction will suddenly come on them, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will certainly not escape. ⁴ But you, brothers, are not in the dark so that this day takes you by surprise like a thief, ⁵ for you are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or the darkness. ⁶ So then let us not sleep like everyone else, but rather let us remain alert and sober.

⁷ To be sure, those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. ⁸ But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. ⁹ You see, God did not appoint us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. ¹⁰ He died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. ¹¹ Therefore, encourage one another and build each other up, just as you are also doing.

Final Exhortations and Greetings

¹² Brothers, we ask you to take note of those who work hard among you, who exercise leadership over you in the Lord, and who admonish you. ¹³ Hold them in the highest regard in love, on account of their work. Live at peace with each other.

¹⁴ We also encourage you, brothers, to admonish those who are idle. Encourage those who are discouraged, help those who are weak, and be patient with everyone. ¹⁵ See to it that no one repays evil with evil, but instead, always strive to do good to each other and to everyone else.

¹⁶ Rejoice always. ¹⁷ Pray without ceasing. ¹⁸ In everything give thanks. For this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. ¹⁹ Do not extinguish the Spirit. ²⁰ Do not treat prophecies with contempt. ²¹ But^[a] test everything. Hold on to the good. ²² Keep away from every kind^[b] of evil.

²³ May the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁴ The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.

²⁵ Brothers, pray for us. ²⁶ Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss. ²⁷ I put you under oath to the Lord to read this letter to all the holy^[c] brothers.

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