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.

You do not need anyone to write to tell you when and at what kind of times these things will happen.

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

You know for sure that the day the Lord comes back to earth will be as a robber coming 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 say, “Everything is fine and safe,” then all at once they will be destroyed. It will be like pain that comes on a woman when a child is born. They will not be able to get away from it.

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

But you are not in darkness, Christian brothers. That day will not surprise you as a robber would.

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 you are children of the light and of the day. We are not of darkness or of night.

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).

Keep awake! Do not sleep like others. Watch and keep your minds awake to what is happening.

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

People sleep at night. Those who get drunk do it 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.

Because we are men of the day, let us keep our minds awake. Let us cover our chests with faith and love. Let us cover our heads with the hope of being saved.

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

God planned to save us from the punishment of sin through our Lord Jesus Christ. He did not plan for us to suffer from His anger.

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.

He died for us so that, dead or alive, we will be with Him.

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

So comfort each other and make each other strong as you are already doing. Christian Living

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.

We ask you, Christian brothers, to respect those who work among you. The Lord has placed them over you and they are your teachers.

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

You must think much of them and love them because of their work. Live in peace with each other.

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.

We ask you, Christian brothers, speak to those who do not want to work. Comfort those who feel they cannot keep going on. Help the weak. Understand and be willing to wait for 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.

Do not let anyone pay back for the bad he received. But look for ways to do good to each other and to all people.

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

Be full of joy all the time.

17 B e unceasing in prayer;

Never stop praying.

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

In everything give thanks. This is what God wants you to do because of Christ Jesus.

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

Do not try to stop the work of the Holy Spirit.

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

Do not laugh at those who speak for God.

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

Test everything and do not let good things get away from you.

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

Keep away from everything that even looks like sin.

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).

May the God of peace set you apart for Himself. May every part of you be set apart for God. May your spirit and your soul and your body be kept complete. May you be without blame when our Lord Jesus Christ comes again.

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

The One Who called you is faithful and will do what He promised.

25 B rethren, pray for us.

Christian brothers, pray for us.

26 G reet all the brethren with a sacred kiss.

Greet all the Christians with a kiss of holy love.

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

I tell you to have this letter read to all the Christians.

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

May you have loving-favor from our Lord Jesus Christ.