Prayer for Relief from Adversaries^(A)

To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. ^(B)To bring to remembrance.

The Day of the Lord

5 But concerning ^(A)the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. ² For you yourselves know perfectly that ^(B)the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. ³ For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then ^(C)sudden destruction comes upon them, ^(D)as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. ^4 (E)But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. ⁵ You are all ^(F)sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. ^6 (G)Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but ^(H)let us watch and be ^[a]sober. ⁷ For ^(I)those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk ^(J)are drunk at night. ⁸ But let us who are of the day be sober, ^(K)putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. ⁹ For ^(L)God did not appoint us to wrath, ^(M)but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, ^10 (N)who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.

¹¹ Therefore ^[b]comfort each other and ^[c]edify one another, just as you also are doing.

Various Exhortations

¹² And we urge you, brethren, ^(O)to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and ^[d]admonish you, ¹³ and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. ^(P)Be at peace among yourselves.

¹⁴ Now we ^[e]exhort you, brethren, ^(Q)warn those who are ^[f]unruly, ^(R)comfort the fainthearted, ^(S)uphold the weak, ^(T)be patient with all. ^15 (U)See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always ^(V)pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.

^16 (W)Rejoice always, ^17 (X)pray without ceasing, ¹⁸ in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

^19 (Y)Do not quench the Spirit. ^20 (Z)Do not despise prophecies. ^21 (AA)Test all things; ^(AB)hold fast what is good. ²² Abstain from every form of evil.

Blessing and Admonition

²³ Now may ^(AC)the God of peace Himself ^(AD)sanctify^[g] you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body ^(AE)be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁴ He who calls you is ^(AF)faithful, who also will ^(AG)do it.

²⁵ Brethren, pray for us.

²⁶ Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss.

²⁷ I charge you by the Lord that this ^[h]epistle be read to all the ^[i]holy brethren.

²⁸ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.