1 B ut concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that ye should be written to,

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

2 f or ye know perfectly well yourselves, that the day of Lord so comes as a thief by 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 they may say, Peace and safety, then sudden destruction comes upon them, as travail upon her that is with child; and they shall in no wise 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 ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day should overtake you as a thief:

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

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

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

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

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

7 f or they that sleep sleep by night, and they that drink drink by night;

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

8 b ut we being of day, let us be sober, putting on breastplate of faith and love, and as helmet 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 b ecause God has not set us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,

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 has died for us, that whether we may be watching or sleep, we may live together with him.

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

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

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

12 B ut we beg you, brethren, to know those who labour among you, and take the lead among you in Lord, and admonish 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 to regard them exceedingly in love on account of their work. Be in peace among yourselves.

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

14 B ut we exhort you, brethren, admonish the disorderly, comfort the faint-hearted, sustain the weak, be patient towards all.

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 no one render to any evil for evil, but pursue always what is good towards one another and towards all;

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 r ejoice always;

Be full of joy all the time.

17 p ray unceasingly;

Never stop praying.

18 i n everything give thanks, for this is will of God in Christ Jesus towards you;

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

19 q uench not the Spirit;

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

20 d o not lightly esteem prophecies;

Do not laugh at those who speak for God.

21 b ut prove all things, hold fast the right;

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

22 h old aloof from every form of wickedness.

Keep away from everything that even looks like sin.

23 N ow the God of peace himself sanctify you wholly: and your whole spirit, and soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

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 H e faithful who calls you, who will also perform.

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 holy kiss.

Greet all the Christians with a kiss of holy love.

27 I adjure you by the Lord that the letter be read to all the brethren.

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

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

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