Various Exhortations

12 And we urge you, brethren, (A)to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and [a]admonish you, 13 and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. (B)Be at peace among yourselves.

14 Now we [b]exhort you, brethren, (C)warn those who are [c]unruly, (D)comfort the fainthearted, (E)uphold the weak, (F)be patient with all. 15 (G)See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always (H)pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.

16 (I)Rejoice always, 17 (J)pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

19 (K)Do not quench the Spirit. 20 (L)Do not despise prophecies. 21 (M)Test all things; (N)hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil.

Blessing and Admonition

23 Now may (O)the God of peace Himself (P)sanctify[d] you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body (Q)be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you is (R)faithful, who also will (S)do it.

25 Brethren, pray for us.

26 Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss.

27 I charge you by the Lord that this [e]epistle be read to all the [f]holy brethren.

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

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Thessalonians 5:12 instruct or warn
  2. 1 Thessalonians 5:14 encourage
  3. 1 Thessalonians 5:14 insubordinate or idle
  4. 1 Thessalonians 5:23 set you apart
  5. 1 Thessalonians 5:27 letter
  6. 1 Thessalonians 5:27 NU omits holy

Final Instructions

12 Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard(A) among you, who care for you in the Lord(B) and who admonish you. 13 Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.(C) 14 And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle(D) and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak,(E) be patient with everyone. 15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong,(F) but always strive to do what is good for each other(G) and for everyone else.

16 Rejoice always,(H) 17 pray continually,(I) 18 give thanks in all circumstances;(J) for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

19 Do not quench the Spirit.(K) 20 Do not treat prophecies(L) with contempt 21 but test them all;(M) hold on to what is good,(N) 22 reject every kind of evil.

23 May God himself, the God of peace,(O) sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul(P) and body be kept blameless(Q) at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.(R) 24 The one who calls(S) you is faithful,(T) and he will do it.(U)

25 Brothers and sisters, pray for us.(V) 26 Greet all God’s people with a holy kiss.(W) 27 I charge you before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers and sisters.(X)

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

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