1 B ut of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.

2 F or yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.

3 F or when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.

4 B ut ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.

5 Y e are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.

6 T herefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.

7 F or they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.

8 B ut let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.

9 F or God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

10 w ho died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.

11 W herefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

12 A nd we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;

13 a nd to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves.

14 N ow we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.

15 S ee that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.

16 R ejoice evermore.

17 P ray without ceasing.

18 I n every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

19 Q uench not the Spirit.

20 D espise not prophesyings.

21 P rove all things; hold fast that which is good.

22 A bstain from all appearance of evil.

23 A nd the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

24 F aithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.

25 B rethren, pray for us.

26 G reet all the brethren with an holy kiss.

27 I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren.

28 T he grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. The first epistle unto the Thessalonians was written from Athens.