1 B ut as to the suitable times and the precise seasons and dates, brethren, you have no necessity for anything being written to you.

2 F or you yourselves know perfectly well that the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night.

3 W hen people are saying, All is well and secure, and, There is peace and safety, then in a moment unforeseen destruction (ruin and death) will come upon them as suddenly as labor pains come upon a woman with child; and they shall by no means escape, for there will be no escape.

4 B ut you are not in darkness, brethren, for that day to overtake you by surprise like a thief.

5 F or you are all sons of light and sons of the day; we do not belong either to the night or to darkness.

6 A ccordingly then, let us not sleep, as the rest do, but let us keep wide awake (alert, watchful, cautious, and on our guard) and let us be sober (calm, collected, and circumspect).

7 F or those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who are drunk, get drunk at night.

8 B ut we belong to the day; therefore, let us be sober and put on the breastplate (corslet) of faith and love and for a helmet the hope of salvation.

9 F or God has not appointed us to wrath, but obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah)

10 W ho died for us so that whether we are still alive or are dead, we might live together with Him and share His life.

11 T herefore encourage (admonish, exhort) one another and edify (strengthen and build up) one another, just as you are doing.

12 N ow also we beseech you, brethren, get to know those who labor among you —your leaders who are over you in the Lord and those who warn and kindly reprove and exhort you.

13 A nd hold them in very high and most affectionate esteem in appreciation of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.

14 A nd we earnestly beseech you, brethren, admonish (warn and seriously advise) those who are out of line; encourage the timid and fainthearted, help and give your support to the weak souls, be very patient with everybody.

15 S ee that none of you repays another with evil for evil, but always aim to show kindness and seek to do good to one another and to everybody.

16 B e happy and rejoice and be glad-hearted continually (always);

17 B e unceasing in prayer;

18 T hank in everything, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.

19 D o not quench (suppress or subdue) the Spirit;

20 D o not spurn the gifts and utterances of the prophets.

21 B ut test and prove all things what is good; hold fast.

22 A bstain from evil in whatever form or whatever kind it may be.

23 A nd may the God of peace Himself sanctify you through and through; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved sound and complete blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah).

24 F aithful is He Who is calling you and utterly trustworthy, and He will also do it.

25 B rethren, pray for us.

26 G reet all the brethren with a sacred kiss.

27 I solemnly charge you the Lord to have this letter read before all the brethren.

28 T he grace (the unmerited favor and blessings) of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah) be with you all. Amen, (so be it).