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But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that aught be written unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. When they are saying, Peace and safety, then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall in no wise escape. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you [a]as a thief: for ye are all sons of light, and sons of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness; so then let us not sleep, as do the rest, but let us watch and be sober. For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that are drunken are drunken in the night. But let us, since we are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for a helmet, the hope of salvation. For God appointed us not unto wrath, but unto the obtaining of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us, that, whether we [b]wake or sleep, we should live together with him. 11 Wherefore [c]exhort one another, and build each other up, even as also ye do.

12 But we beseech you, brethren, to know them that labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; 13 and to esteem them exceeding highly in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves. 14 And we exhort you, brethren, admonish the disorderly, encourage the faint-hearted, support the weak, be longsuffering toward all. 15 See that none render unto any one evil for evil; but always follow after that which is good, one toward another, and toward all. 16 Rejoice always; 17 pray without ceasing; 18 in everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus to you-ward. 19 Quench not the Spirit; 20 despise not prophesyings; 21 [d]prove all things; hold fast that which is good; 22 abstain from every form of evil.

23 And the God of peace himself sanctify you wholly; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved entire, without blame at the [e]coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who will also do it.

25 Brethren, pray for us[f].

26 Salute all the brethren with a holy kiss. 27 I adjure you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the [g]brethren.

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

Footnotes

  1. 1 Thessalonians 5:4 Some ancient authorities read as thieves.
  2. 1 Thessalonians 5:10 Or, watch
  3. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 Or, comfort. 4:18
  4. 1 Thessalonians 5:21 Many ancient authorities insert but.
  5. 1 Thessalonians 5:23 Greek presence.
  6. 1 Thessalonians 5:25 Some ancient authorities add also.
  7. 1 Thessalonians 5:27 Many ancient authorities insert holy.

The Day of the Lord

Now as to the (A)times and the epochs, brethren, you (B)have no need of anything to be written to you. For you yourselves know full well that (C)the day of the Lord [a]will come (D)just like a thief in the night. While they are saying, “(E)Peace and safety!” then [b](F)destruction [c]will come upon them suddenly like (G)labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape. But you, brethren, are not in (H)darkness, that the day would overtake you [d](I)like a thief; for you are all (J)sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of (K)darkness; so then let us not (L)sleep as [e](M)others do, but let us be alert and [f](N)sober. For those who sleep do their sleeping at night, and those who get drunk get (O)drunk at night. But since (P)we are of the day, let us (Q)be [g]sober, having put on the (R)breastplate of (S)faith and love, and as a (T)helmet, the (U)hope of salvation. For God has not destined us for (V)wrath, but for (W)obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 (X)who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him. 11 Therefore [h]encourage one another and (Y)build up one another, just as you also are doing.

Christian Conduct

12 But we request of you, brethren, that you [i](Z)appreciate those (AA)who diligently labor among you, and (AB)have charge over you in the Lord and give you [j]instruction, 13 and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. (AC)Live in peace with one another. 14 We urge you, brethren, admonish (AD)the [k]unruly, encourage (AE)the fainthearted, help (AF)the weak, be (AG)patient with everyone. 15 See that (AH)no one repays another with evil for evil, but always (AI)seek after that which is good for one another and for all people. 16 (AJ)Rejoice always; 17 (AK)pray without ceasing; 18 in everything (AL)give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 19 (AM)Do not quench the Spirit; 20 do not despise (AN)prophetic [l]utterances. 21 But (AO)examine everything carefully; (AP)hold fast to that which is good; 22 abstain from every [m]form of evil.

23 Now (AQ)may the God of peace (AR)Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your (AS)spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, (AT)without blame at (AU)the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 (AV)Faithful is He who (AW)calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.

25 Brethren, (AX)pray for us[n].

26 (AY)Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss. 27 I adjure you by the Lord to (AZ)have this letter read to all the (BA)brethren.

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

Footnotes

  1. 1 Thessalonians 5:2 Lit is coming
  2. 1 Thessalonians 5:3 Or sudden destruction
  3. 1 Thessalonians 5:3 Lit comes upon
  4. 1 Thessalonians 5:4 One early ms reads like thieves
  5. 1 Thessalonians 5:6 Lit the remaining ones
  6. 1 Thessalonians 5:6 Or self-controlled
  7. 1 Thessalonians 5:8 Or self-controlled
  8. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 Or comfort
  9. 1 Thessalonians 5:12 Lit know
  10. 1 Thessalonians 5:12 Or admonition
  11. 1 Thessalonians 5:14 Or undisciplined
  12. 1 Thessalonians 5:20 Or gifts
  13. 1 Thessalonians 5:22 Or appearance
  14. 1 Thessalonians 5:25 Two early mss add also