1 Thessalonians 5:3-18

English Standard Version

³ While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then ^(A)sudden destruction will come upon them ^(B)as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. ⁴ But you ^(C)are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. ⁵ For you are all ^(D)children^[a] of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. ⁶ So then ^(E)let us not sleep, as others do, but let us ^(F)keep awake and ^(G)be sober. ⁷ For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, ^(H)are drunk at night. ⁸ But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, ^(I)having put on the breastplate of ^(J)faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. ⁹ For God has not destined us for ^(K)wrath, but ^(L)to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, ^10 (M)who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. ¹¹ Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

Final Instructions and Benediction

¹² We ask you, brothers, ^(N)to respect those who labor among you and ^(O)are over you in the Lord and admonish you, ¹³ and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. ^(P)Be at peace among yourselves. ¹⁴ And we urge you, brothers, admonish ^(Q)the idle,^{[b] (R)}encourage the fainthearted, ^(S)help the weak, ^(T)be patient with them all. ¹⁵ See that ^(U)no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always ^(V)seek to do good to one another and to everyone. ^16 (W)Rejoice always, ^17 (X)pray without ceasing, ^18 (Y)give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.