1 Thessalonians 5:8-21

English Standard Version

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

Final Instructions and Benediction

¹²We ask you, brothers, ^(F)to respect those who labor among you and ^(G)are over you in the Lord and admonish you, ¹³and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. ^(H)Be at peace among yourselves. ¹⁴And we urge you, brothers, admonish ^(I)the idle,^[a] ^(J)encourage the fainthearted, ^(K)help the weak, ^(L)be patient with them all. ¹⁵See that ^(M)no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always ^(N)seek to do good to one another and to everyone. ¹⁶^(O)Rejoice always, ¹⁷^(P)pray without ceasing, ¹⁸^(Q)give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. ¹⁹^(R)Do not quench the Spirit. ²⁰Do not despise ^(S)prophecies, ²¹but ^(T)test everything; hold fast what is good.