⁹ for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned^(A) to God from idols^(B) to serve the living and true God,^{(C) 10} and to wait for his Son from heaven,^(D) whom he raised from the dead^(E)—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.^(F)

¹² encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy^(A) of God, who calls^(B) you into his kingdom and glory.

¹⁵ who killed the Lord Jesus^(A) and the prophets^(B) and also drove us out. They displease God and are hostile to everyone

¹⁶ in their effort to keep us from speaking to the Gentiles^(A) so that they may be saved. In this way they always heap up their sins to the limit.^(B) The wrath of God has come upon them at last.^[a]

Living to Please God

4 As for other matters, brothers and sisters,^(A) we instructed you how to live^(B) in order to please God,^(C) as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more. ² For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus.

³ It is God’s will^(D) that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality;^{(E) 4} that each of you should learn to control your own body^[a](F) in a way that is holy and honorable, ⁵ not in passionate lust^(G) like the pagans,^(H) who do not know God;^{(I) 6} and that in this matter no one should wrong or take advantage of a brother or sister.^[b](J) The Lord will punish^(K) all those who commit such sins,^(L) as we told you and warned you before. ⁷ For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life.^{(M) 8} Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit.^(N)

¹¹ and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands,^(A) just as we told you, ¹² so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders^(B) and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.

¹⁴ For we believe that Jesus died and rose again,^(A) and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.^{(B) 15} According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord,^(C) will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep.^{(D) 16} For the Lord himself will come down from heaven,^(E) with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel^(F) and with the trumpet call of God,^(G) and the dead in Christ will rise first.^{(H) 17} After that, we who are still alive and are left^(I) will be caught up together with them in the clouds^(J) to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord^(K) forever.

² for you know very well that the day of the Lord^(A) will come like a thief in the night.^{(B) 3} While people are saying, “Peace and safety,”^(C) destruction will come on them suddenly,^(D) as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.^(E)

⁴ But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness^(F) so that this day should surprise you like a thief.^{(G) 5} You are all children of the light^(H) and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. ⁶ So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep,^(I) but let us be awake^(J) and sober.^{(K) 7} For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night.^{(L) 8} But since we belong to the day,^(M) let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate,^(N) and the hope of salvation^(O) as a helmet.^(P)

¹⁹ Do not quench the Spirit.^(A)