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 concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that aught be written 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.

When they are saying, Peace and safety, then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall in no wise 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.

for ye are all sons of light, and sons 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).

so then let us not sleep, as do the rest, 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 are 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, since we are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate 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)

For God appointed us not into wrath, but unto the obtaining of salvation through 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 exhort one another, and build each other up, 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.

But we beseech you, brethren, to know them that labor 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 exceeding highly in love for their work's sake. 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.

And we exhort you, brethren, admonish the disorderly, encourage the fainthearted, support the weak, be longsuffering toward all.

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 unto any one evil for evil; but always follow after that which is good, one toward another, and toward all.

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

Rejoice always;

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 everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus to you-ward.

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 every form 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 God of peace himself sanctify you wholly; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved entire, without blame at 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 will also do it.

25 B rethren, pray for us.

Brethren, pray for us.

26 G reet all the brethren with a sacred kiss.

Salute all the brethren with a holy kiss.

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

I adjure you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto 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).

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.