1 Thessalonians 5:12-22

Expanded Bible

Final Instructions and Greetings

¹² Now, brothers and sisters, we ask you to ·appreciate [acknowledge; respect] those who work hard among you, who ·lead [or care for] you in the Lord and ·teach [instruct; admonish] you. ¹³ ·Respect [Regard; Esteem] them ·with a very special [or very highly with your] love because of the work they do.

Live in peace with each other. ¹⁴ We ·ask [urge; exhort; encourage] you, brothers and sisters, to ·warn [admonish; rebuke] those who ·do not work [are idle; or are undisciplined]. ·Encourage [Comfort] the people who are ·afraid [apprehensive; fainthearted; discouraged]. Help those who are weak. Be patient with everyone. ¹⁵ ·Be sure [See to it] that no one pays back ·wrong [evil] for ·wrong [evil], but always ·try to do [strive for; ^Lpursue] what is good for each other and for all people.

¹⁶ Always ·be joyful [rejoice]. ¹⁷ Pray ·continually [without ceasing], ¹⁸ and give thanks ·whatever happens [in all circumstances; in everything]. That is ·what God wants [God’s will] for you in Christ Jesus.

¹⁹ Do not ·hold back the work of [stifle; quench; extinguish] the Holy Spirit. ²⁰ Do not treat ·prophecy [^Lprophecies; ^Coccurring in the church] ·as if it were unimportant [with contempt]. ²¹ But test everything. ·Keep [Hold on to] what is good, ²² and stay away from ·everything that is [every form/kind of] evil.