Be Ready for the Lord’s Coming

5 Now, brothers, we do not need to write to you about times and dates. ² You know very well that the day the Lord comes again will be a surprise like a thief that comes in the night. ³ People will say, “We have peace and we are safe.” At that time they will be destroyed quickly, as pains come quickly to a woman having a baby. And those people will not escape. ⁴ But you, brothers, are not living in darkness. And so that day will not surprise you like a thief. ⁵ You are all people who belong to the light. You belong to the day. We do not belong to the night or to darkness. ⁶ So we should not be like other people. We should not be sleeping, but we should be awake and have self-control. ⁷ 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. We should wear faith and love to protect us. And the hope of salvation should be our helmet. ⁹ God did not choose us to suffer his anger, but to have salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. ¹⁰ Jesus died for us so that we can live together with him. It is not important if we are alive or dead when Jesus comes. ¹¹ So comfort each other and give each other strength, just as you are doing now.

Final Instructions and Greetings

¹² Now, brothers, we ask you to respect those people who work hard with you, who lead you in the Lord and teach you. ¹³ Respect them with a very special love because of the work they do with you.

Live in peace with each other. ¹⁴ We ask you, brothers, to warn those who do not work. Encourage the people who are afraid. Help those who are weak. Be patient with every person. ¹⁵ Be sure that no one pays back wrong for wrong. But always try to do what is good for each other and for all people.

¹⁶ Always be happy. ¹⁷ Never stop praying. ¹⁸ Give thanks whatever happens. That is what God wants for you in Christ Jesus.

¹⁹ Do not stop the work of the Holy Spirit. ²⁰ Do not treat prophecy as if it were not important. ²¹ But test everything. Keep what is good. ²² And stay away from everything that is evil.

²³ We pray that God himself, the God of peace, will make you pure, belonging only to him. We pray that your whole self—spirit, soul, and body—will be kept safe and be without wrong when our Lord Jesus Christ comes. ²⁴ The One who calls you will do that for you. You can trust him.

²⁵ Brothers, please pray for us.

²⁶ Give all the brothers a holy kiss when you meet. ²⁷ I tell you by the authority of the Lord to read this letter to all the brothers.

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