Book of Common Prayer

He speaks of the day of doom and coming of the Lord. He exhorts them to watch, and to have regard for those who preach God’s word among them.

5 Of the times and seasons, brethren, you have no need that I write to you. ² For you yourselves know well that the day of the Lord will come even as a thief in the night. ³ When they say, Peace, and no danger – then comes on them sudden destruction, like the travailing of a woman with child, and they shall not escape.

⁴ But you, brethren, are not in darkness, such that that day should come on you as a thief. ⁵ You are all the children of light, and the children of the day. We are not of the night, nor of darkness. ⁶ Therefore let us not sleep as others do, but let us watch and be sober. ⁷ For those who sleep, sleep in the night, and those who are drunk, are drunk in the night. ⁸ But let us who are of the day be sober, armed with the breastplate of faith and love, and with the hope of salvation as a helmet. ⁹ For God has not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by the means of our Lord Jesus Christ, ¹⁰ who died for us so that whether we wake or sleep, we will live together with him. ¹¹ Therefore comfort yourselves together, and strengthen one another, even as you do.

⁷ And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions like the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. ⁸ Be not like them therefore. For your Father knows what you need before you ask of him. ⁹ Pray therefore in this manner:

¹⁴ For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. ¹⁵ But if you will not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive you your trespasses.