Read the New Testament in 24 Weeks

Living in a Way That Pleases God

4 Now I want to talk about some other matters, brothers and sisters. We taught you how to live in a way that pleases God. In fact, that is how you are living. In the name of the Lord Jesus we ask and beg you to do it more and more. ² You know the directions we gave you. They were given by the authority of the Lord Jesus.

³ God wants you to be made holy. He wants you to stay away from sexual sins. ⁴ He wants all of you to learn to control your own bodies. You must live in a way that is holy. You must live with honor. ⁵ Don’t desire to commit sexual sins like people who don’t know God. ⁶ None of you should sin against your brother or sister by doing that. You should not take advantage of your brother or sister. The Lord will punish everyone who commits these kinds of sins. We have already told you and warned you about this. ⁷ That’s because God chose us to live pure lives. He wants us to be holy. ⁸ Suppose someone refuses to accept our teaching. They are not turning their back on us. They are turning their back on God. This same God gives you his Holy Spirit.

⁹ We don’t need to write to you about your love for one another. God himself has taught you to love one another. ¹⁰ In fact, you do love all God’s family all around Macedonia. Brothers and sisters, we are asking you to love one another more and more. ¹¹ And do everything you can to live a quiet life. You should mind your own business. And work with your hands, just as we told you to. ¹² Then unbelievers will have respect for your everyday life. And you won’t have to depend on anyone.

What Happens to Believers Who Have Died

¹³ Brothers and sisters, we want you to know what happens to those who die. We don’t want you to mourn, as other people do. They mourn because they don’t have any hope. ¹⁴ We believe that Jesus died and rose again. When he returns, many who believe in him will have died already. We believe that God will bring them back with Jesus. ¹⁵ This agrees with what the Lord has said. When the Lord comes, many of us will still be alive. We tell you that we will certainly not go up before those who have died. ¹⁶ The Lord himself will come down from heaven. We will hear a loud command. We will hear the voice of the leader of the angels. We will hear a blast from God’s trumpet. Many who believe in Christ will have died already. They will rise first. ¹⁷ After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them. We will be taken up in the clouds. We will meet the Lord in the air. And we will be with him forever. ¹⁸ So encourage one another with these words of comfort.

The Day of the Lord Is Coming

5 Brothers and sisters, we don’t have to write to you about times and dates. ² You know very well how the day of the Lord will come. It will come like a thief in the night. ³ People will be saying that everything is peaceful and safe. Then suddenly they will be destroyed. It will happen like birth pains coming on a pregnant woman. None of the people will escape.

⁴ Brothers and sisters, you are not in darkness. So that day should not surprise you as a thief would. ⁵ All of you are children of the light. You are children of the day. We don’t belong to the night. We don’t belong to the darkness. ⁶ So let us not be like the others. They are asleep. Instead, let us be wide awake and in full control of ourselves. ⁷ Those who sleep, sleep at night. Those who get drunk, get drunk at night. ⁸ But we belong to the day. So let us control ourselves. Let us put on our chest the armor of faith and love. Let us put on the hope of salvation like a helmet. ⁹ God didn’t choose us to receive his anger. He chose us to receive salvation because of what our Lord Jesus Christ has done. ¹⁰ Jesus died for us. Some will be alive when he comes. Others will be dead. Either way, we will live together with him. ¹¹ So encourage one another with the hope you have. Build each other up. In fact, that’s what you are doing.

Final Teachings

¹² Brothers and sisters, we ask you to accept the godly leaders who work hard among you. They care for you in the Lord. They correct you. ¹³ Have a lot of respect for them. Love them because of what they do. Live in peace with one another. ¹⁴ Brothers and sisters, we are asking you to warn certain people. These people don’t want to work. Instead, they make trouble. We are also asking you to encourage those who have lost hope. Help those who are weak. Be patient with everyone. ¹⁵ Make sure that no one pays back one wrong act with another. Instead, always try to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.

¹⁶ Always be joyful. ¹⁷ Never stop praying. ¹⁸ Give thanks no matter what happens. God wants you to thank him because you believe in Christ Jesus.

¹⁹ Don’t try to stop what the Holy Spirit is doing. ²⁰ Don’t treat prophecies as if they weren’t important. ²¹ But test all prophecies. Hold on to what is good. ²² Say no to every kind of evil.

²³ God is the God who gives peace. May he make you holy through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept free from blame. May you be without blame from now until our Lord Jesus Christ comes. ²⁴ The God who has chosen you is faithful. He will do all these things.

²⁵ Brothers and sisters, pray for us.

²⁶ Greet all God’s people with a holy kiss.

²⁷ While the Lord is watching, here is what I command you. Have this letter read to all the brothers and sisters.

²⁸ May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.