1 B ut of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto 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 yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh 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 F or 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.

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 that 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 Y e are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.

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

6 T herefore let us not sleep, as do others; 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 in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.

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

8 B ut 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.

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 hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by 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 died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.

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

11 W herefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

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

12 A nd we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the 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 esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And 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 N ow we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.

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 render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.

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 evermore.

Be full of joy all the time.

17 P ray without ceasing.

Never stop praying.

18 I n every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning 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 espise not prophesyings.

Do not laugh at those who speak for God.

21 P rove all things; hold fast that which is good.

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

22 A bstain from all appearance of evil.

Keep away from everything that even looks like sin.

23 A nd 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.

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 that calleth you, who also will 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 an holy kiss.

Greet all the Christians with a kiss of holy love.

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

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

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

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