The Day of the Lord

Now as to the (A)periods and [a]times, brothers and sisters, 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 is coming (D)just like a thief in the night. While they are saying, “(E)Peace and safety!” then (F)sudden destruction [b]will come upon them like (G)labor pains upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you, brothers and sisters, are not in (H)darkness, so that the day would overtake you [c](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’s not (L)sleep as [d](M)others do, but let’s be alert and [e](N)sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who are drunk, (O)get drunk at night. But since (P)we are of the day, let’s (Q)be [f]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, [g]encourage one another and (Y)build one another up, just as you also are doing.

Christian Conduct

12 But we ask you, brothers and sisters, to (Z)recognize those (AA)who diligently labor among you and [h](AB)are in leadership over you in the Lord, and give you [i]instruction, 13 and that you regard them very highly in love because of their work. (AC)Live in peace with one another. 14 We urge you, brothers and sisters, admonish (AD)the [j]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 what 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 the will of God for you in Christ Jesus. 19 (AM)Do not quench the Spirit, 20 do not utterly reject [k](AN)prophecies, 21 but (AO)examine everything; (AP)hold firmly to that which is good, 22 abstain from every [l]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 kept 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 do it.

25 Brothers and sisters, (AX)pray for us[m].

26 (AY)Greet all the brothers and sisters with a holy kiss. 27 I put you under oath by the Lord to (AZ)have this letter read to all the (BA)brothers and sisters.

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

Footnotes

  1. 1 Thessalonians 5:1 I.e., the end times
  2. 1 Thessalonians 5:3 Lit is coming
  3. 1 Thessalonians 5:4 One early ms like thieves
  4. 1 Thessalonians 5:6 Lit the rest (of mankind)
  5. 1 Thessalonians 5:6 Or self-controlled
  6. 1 Thessalonians 5:8 Or self-controlled
  7. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 Or comfort
  8. 1 Thessalonians 5:12 Or care for you
  9. 1 Thessalonians 5:12 Or admonition
  10. 1 Thessalonians 5:14 Or undisciplined
  11. 1 Thessalonians 5:20 Or prophetic gifts
  12. 1 Thessalonians 5:22 Or appearance
  13. 1 Thessalonians 5:25 Two early mss add also

Be Ready for the Day of the Lord

Now you do not need to have anything written to you about times and dates, brothers, for you yourselves know very well that the Day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. When people[a] say, “There is peace and security,” destruction will strike them as suddenly as labor pains come[b] to a pregnant woman, and they will not be able to escape.

However, brothers, you are not in the darkness, in order that the Day of the Lord[c] might surprise you like a thief. For all of you are children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to darkness. Therefore, let’s not fall asleep like others do, but let’s stay awake and be sober. For people who go to sleep, go to sleep at night; and people who get drunk, get drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let’s be sober. We must put on the breastplate of faith and love, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. For God has not destined us to receive[d] wrath but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus, the Messiah,[e] 10 who died for us in order that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. 11 So then, encourage one another and build each other up, as you are doing.

Paul Gives Final Instructions to the Church

12 Brothers, we ask you to show your appreciation for those who work among you, set an example for you in the Lord, and instruct[f] you. 13 Hold them in the highest regard, loving them because of their work. Live in peace with each other. 14 We urge you, brothers, to admonish[g] those who are idle,[h] cheer up those who are discouraged, and help those who are weak. Be patient with everyone. 15 Make sure that no one pays back evil for evil. Instead, always pursue what is good for each other and for everyone else. 16 Always be joyful. 17 Continually be prayerful. 18 In everything be thankful, because this is God’s will for you in the Messiah[i] Jesus. 19 Do not put out the Spirit’s fire.[j] 20 Do not despise prophecies. 21 Instead, test everything. Hold on to what is good. 22 Keep away from every kind of evil.

Final Greeting

23 May the God of peace himself make you holy in every way. And may your whole being—spirit, soul, and body—remain blameless when our Lord Jesus, the Messiah,[k] appears. 24 The one who calls you is faithful, and he will continue to be faithful.[l] 25 Brothers, pray[m] for us. 26 Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss. 27 I order you by the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers. 28 May the grace of our Lord Jesus, the Messiah,[n] be with you! Amen.[o]

Footnotes

  1. 1 Thessalonians 5:3 Lit. they
  2. 1 Thessalonians 5:3 The Gk. lacks come
  3. 1 Thessalonians 5:4 The Gk. lacks of the Lord
  4. 1 Thessalonians 5:9 The Gk. lacks receive
  5. 1 Thessalonians 5:9 Or Christ
  6. 1 Thessalonians 5:12 Or admonish
  7. 1 Thessalonians 5:14 Or instruct
  8. 1 Thessalonians 5:14 Or disorderly
  9. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 Or Christ
  10. 1 Thessalonians 5:19 I.e. stifle the Spirit’s work
  11. 1 Thessalonians 5:23 Or Christ
  12. 1 Thessalonians 5:24 The Gk. lacks faithful
  13. 1 Thessalonians 5:25 Other mss. read also pray
  14. 1 Thessalonians 5:28 Or Christ
  15. 1 Thessalonians 5:28 Other mss. lack Amen