The Day of the Lord

5 About the times and the seasons:^(A) Brothers and sisters, you do not need anything to be written to you. ² For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord^(B) will come just like a thief^(C) in the night. ³ When they say, ‘Peace and security’, then sudden destruction^(D) will come upon them, like labour pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. ⁴ But you, brothers and sisters, are not in the dark, for this day to surprise you like a thief.^{(E) 5} For you are all children of light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or the darkness.^{(F) 6} So then, let us not sleep, like the rest, but let us stay awake and be self-controlled. ⁷ For 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 self-controlled^(G) and put on the armour^(H) of faith and love, and a helmet^(I) of the hope of salvation. ⁹ 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 may 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 and sisters, to give recognition^(O) to those who labour among you and lead you^[a] 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 and sisters:^(Q) warn those who are idle,^[b] 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 whole spirit,^(AA) soul, and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming^(AB) of our Lord^(AC) Jesus Christ.^{(AD) 24} He who calls^(AE) you^(AF) is faithful; he will do it. ²⁵ Brothers and sisters, pray for us also. ²⁶ Greet all the brothers and sisters with a holy kiss. ²⁷ I charge you by the Lord that this letter be read to all the brothers and sisters.^{(AG) 28} The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.