Book of Common Prayer

5 My brothers, you do not need anyone to write to you about the day or the year when these things will happen.

² You your-selves surely know that the day of the Lord will come just like a person who comes to steal in the night.

³ When people are saying, `Everything is quiet and safe,' they will be destroyed. It will all happen very quickly. And there will be no way out. It will be like the pain that a woman has when a child is born.

⁴ But you, my brothers, are not in the dark. That day should not surprise you like a person who comes to steal.

⁵ You all belong to the light. You belong to the day. We do not belong to the night or to the dark.

⁶ So then, we must not go to sleep like other people. No, we must keep watching and not get drunk.

⁷ Because we belong to the day, we must not get drunk. But we must be ready like people dressed for war. We must keep believing in God. We must be loving towards each other. Faith and love will be like strong clothes to cover our bodies. The hope of being saved will protect us like a hat or helmet covers our head.

⁸ God did not choose us so that he might be angry with us. But he chose us so that we might be saved through our Lord Jesus Christ.

⁹ He died for us so that, if we are alive or dead, we will live with him.

¹⁰ So comfort and strengthen one another, just as you are doing. you to respect those who are working among you. They are your leaders in the Lord's work, and they tell you what you should do.

¹¹ ) My brothers, we beg you, tell this to people who do not do what they should do. Talk to those who fear, and say something that will make them strong. Help those who are weak. Be patient with all people.

⁵ Some people were talking about how nice the temple looked. They talked about the fine stones and the things people gave to make the temple.

⁶ Jesus said, `You see these things. Not one stone here will be left on top of another. They will all be thrown down!'

⁷ They asked him, `Teacher, when will this happen? What will be the sign when these things are going to be done?

⁸ He said, `Take care. Do not let anyone fool you. Many men will come in my name. They will say, "I am Christ." And they will say, "The time is now." Do not go after them.

⁹ When you hear about wars and fighting, do not fear. These things must happen first, but it is not the end right away.'

¹⁰ Then he said, `One tribe will fight against another tribe. And one country will fight against another country.

¹¹ In some places the earth will shake very much. In many places the people will have no food to eat. And many people will be sick. There will be things to make people fear. There will be big signs in the sky.

¹² `But before all these things happen, people will catch you and trouble you. They will take you to the meeting houses to be judged. They will put you in prison. They will take you to kings and rulers because you are true to me.

¹³ This will be a chance for you to talk about me.

¹⁴ So do not trouble your minds about what you will say.

¹⁵ I will give you words and sense. All those who are against you will not be able to answer your words or say they are not true.

¹⁶ Even your parents, brothers, family people, and friends will give you over to trouble. They will kill some of you.

¹⁷ All people will hate you because you are true to me.

¹⁸ But you will not lose one hair from your heads.

¹⁹ If you keep on being true to me, you will live for ever.'