1 N ow as to the times and the epochs, brethren, you have no need of anything to be 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 full well that the day of the Lord will come just like 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 hile they are saying, “ Peace and safety!” then destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will 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 you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you 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 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 let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober.

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

7 F or those who sleep do their sleeping at night, and those who get drunk get drunk at night.

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

8 B ut since we are of the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as 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 destined 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 died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him.

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

11 T herefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing. Christian Conduct

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

12 B ut we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction,

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 that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another.

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

14 W e urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone.

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 repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people.

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 without ceasing;

Never stop praying.

18 i n everything give thanks; for this is God’s will 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 the Spirit;

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

20 d o not despise prophetic utterances.

Do not laugh at those who speak for God.

21 B ut examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good;

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

22 a bstain from every form of evil.

Keep away from everything that even looks like sin.

23 N ow may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame 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 F aithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.

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 to have this letter 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 be with you.

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