1 Thessalonians 5:8-27

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

⁸ But since we belong to the day, let us be sober and put on the breastplate of faith and love and for a helmet the hope of salvation.^{(A) 9} For God has destined us not for wrath but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,^{(B) 10} who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep we may live with him.^{(C) 11} Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing.

Final Exhortations, Greetings, and Benediction

¹² But we appeal to you, brothers and sisters, to respect those who labor among you and have charge of you in the Lord and admonish you;^{(D) 13} esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. ¹⁴ And we urge you, brothers and sisters, to admonish the idlers, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with all of them.^{(E) 15} See that none of you repays evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to all.^{(F) 16} Rejoice always, ¹⁷ pray without ceasing, ¹⁸ give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. ¹⁹ Do not quench the Spirit. ²⁰ Do not despise prophecies, ²¹ but test everything; hold fast to what is good;^{(G) 22} abstain from every form of evil.

²³ May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely, and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound^[a] and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.^{(H) 24} The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this.^(I)

²⁵ Brothers and sisters, pray for us.^(J)

²⁶ Greet all the brothers and sisters with a holy kiss. ²⁷ I solemnly command you by the Lord that this letter be read to all the brothers and sisters.^(K)