1 B ut concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that aught be written unto you.

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

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

3 W hen 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.

When 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 ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief:

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

5 f or ye are all sons of light, and sons of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness;

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

6 s o then let us not sleep, as do the rest, but let us watch and be sober.

Accordingly 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 they that sleep sleep in the night: and they that are drunken are drunken in the night.

For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who are drunk, get drunk at night.

8 B ut 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.

But 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 appointed us not into wrath, but unto the obtaining of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,

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

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

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

11 W herefore exhort one another, and build each other up, even as also ye do.

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

12 B ut we beseech you, brethren, to know them that labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;

Now 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 to esteem them exceeding highly in love for their work's sake. Be at peace among yourselves.

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

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

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

See 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 R ejoice always;

Be happy and rejoice and be glad-hearted continually (always);

17 p ray without ceasing;

Be unceasing in prayer;

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

Thank in everything, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.

19 Q uench not the Spirit;

Do not quench (suppress or subdue) the Spirit;

20 d espise not prophesyings;

Do not spurn the gifts and utterances of the prophets.

21 p rove all things; hold fast that which is good;

But test and prove all things what is good; hold fast.

22 a bstain from every form of evil.

Abstain from evil in whatever form or whatever kind it may be.

23 A nd 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.

And 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 that calleth you, who will also do it.

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

25 B rethren, pray for us.

Brethren, pray for us.

26 S alute all the brethren with a holy kiss.

Greet all the brethren with a sacred kiss.

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

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

28 T he grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

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