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.

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

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

For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh 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.

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

But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as 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.

Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of 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).

Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.

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

For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the 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.

But 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 has not appointed us to wrath, but obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah)

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

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.

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

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

Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

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.

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

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

and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And 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.

Now 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 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.

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

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

Rejoice evermore.

17 B e unceasing in prayer;

Pray without ceasing.

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

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

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

Quench not the Spirit.

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

Despise not prophesyings.

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

Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

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

Abstain from all appearance of evil.

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).

And 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 Who is calling you and utterly trustworthy, and He will also do it.

Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.

25 B rethren, pray for us.

Brethren, pray for us.

26 G reet all the brethren with a sacred kiss.

Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss.

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

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

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