³³ Be on guard! Be alert^[a]!^(A) You do not know when that time will come. ³⁴ It’s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants^(B) in charge, each with their assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch.

³⁵ “Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. ³⁶ If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. ³⁷ What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’”^(C)

¹³ But everything exposed by the light^(A) becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. ¹⁴ This is why it is said:

¹⁵ Be very careful, then, how you live^(E)—not as unwise but as wise, ¹⁶ making the most of every opportunity,^(F) because the days are evil.^{(G) 17} Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.^(H)

The Day Is Near

¹¹ And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come^(A) for you to wake up from your slumber,^(B) because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.

The Day of the Lord

5 Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates^(A) we do not need to write to you,^{(B) 2} for you know very well that the day of the Lord^(C) will come like a thief in the night.^{(D) 3} While people are saying, “Peace and safety,”^(E) destruction will come on them suddenly,^(F) as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.^(G)

⁴ But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness^(H) so that this day should surprise you like a thief.^{(I) 5} You are all children of the light^(J) 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,^(K) but let us be awake^(L) and sober.^{(M) 7} For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night.^{(N) 8} But since we belong to the day,^(O) let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate,^(P) and the hope of salvation^(Q) as a helmet.^{(R) 9} For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath^(S) but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.^{(T) 10} He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him.^{(U) 11} Therefore encourage one another^(V) and build each other up,^(W) just as in fact you are doing.