1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
Expanded Bible
Be Ready for the Lord’s Coming
5 Now, brothers and sisters, we do not need to write you about times and ·dates [seasons; C related to end-time events]. 2 You know ·very well [accurately] that the ·day the Lord comes again [L day of the Lord; C the time of Christ’s return and the judgments associated with it] will ·be a surprise, like a thief that comes in the night [L come like a thief in the night]. 3 While people are saying, “·We have peace and we are safe [L Peace and safety/security],” they will be destroyed ·quickly [suddenly]. It is like pains that come quickly to a woman having a baby. Those people will not escape. 4 But you, brothers and sisters, are not ·living in darkness [L in darkness], and so that day will not ·surprise you [or overtake you] like a thief. 5 [L For] You are all ·people who belong to the light [L children/sons of the light] and ·who belong to [L children/sons of] the day. We do not belong to the night or to darkness. 6 So we should not be like other people who are sleeping [C spiritually], but we should be ·alert [awake] and ·have self-control [sober]. 7 [L For] Those who sleep sleep at night. Those who get drunk get drunk at night. 8 But we belong to the day, so we should ·control ourselves [be sober]. We should ·wear faith and love to protect us [L put on the breastplate/body armor of faith and love], and the hope of salvation should be our helmet [Is. 59:17]. 9 God did not ·choose [appoint; destine] us ·to suffer his anger [L for wrath] but to ·have [receive; gain; possess] salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 10 ·Jesus [L …who] died for us so that we can live together with him, whether we are ·alive [L awake] or ·dead [L asleep] when he comes. 11 So encourage each other and ·give each other strength [build each other up], just as you are doing now.
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1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
Amplified Bible
The Day of the Lord
5 Now as to the [a]times and dates, [b]brothers and sisters, you have no need for anything to be written to you. 2 For you yourselves know perfectly well that the day of the [return of the] Lord is coming just as a thief [comes unexpectedly and suddenly] in the night. 3 While they are saying, “Peace and safety [all is well and secure!]” then [in a moment unforeseen] destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains on a woman with child, and they will absolutely not escape [for there will be no way to escape the judgment of the Lord]. 4 But you, [c]believers, [all you who believe in Christ as Savior and acknowledge Him as God’s Son] are not in spiritual darkness [nor held by its power], that the day [of judgment] would overtake you [by surprise] like a thief; 5 for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We do not belong to the night nor to darkness. 6 So then let us not sleep [in spiritual indifference] as the rest [of the world does], but let us keep wide awake [alert and cautious] and let us be sober [self-controlled, calm, and wise]. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who are drunk get drunk at night. 8 But since we [believers] belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope and confident assurance of salvation. 9 For God has not destined us to [incur His] wrath [that is, He did not select us to condemn us], but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died [willingly] for us, so that whether we are awake (alive) or asleep (dead) [at Christ’s appearing], we will live together with Him [sharing eternal life]. 11 Therefore encourage and comfort one another and build up one another, just as you are doing.
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- 1 Thessalonians 5:1 The Greek word here for times refers to the length of time (indicating how long one must wait for something), while the word for dates refers to the particular time that a significant event will happen.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:1 Lit brethren.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:4 Lit brethren.
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