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.

⁷ The end of all things is near.^(A) Therefore be alert and of sober mind^(B) so that you may pray.

⁵ You are all children of the light^(A) 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,^(B) but let us be awake^(C) and sober.^{(D) 7} For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night.^{(E) 8} But since we belong to the day,^(F) let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate,^(G) and the hope of salvation^(H) as a helmet.^(I)

¹⁴ This is why it is said:

³⁴ Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning; for there are some who are ignorant of God^(A)—I say this to your shame.^(B)

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!’”^(A)

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)

⁴² “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.^{(A) 43} But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming,^(B) he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. ⁴⁴ So you also must be ready,^(C) because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.

¹³ But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth,^(A) where righteousness dwells.

¹⁴ So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless^(B) and at peace with him. ¹⁵ Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience^(C) means salvation,^(D) just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him.^(E)