1 N ow as to the times and the epochs, brethren, you have no need of anything to be written to you.

But concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need that anything be written to you.

2 F or you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night.

For you yourselves know well that the day of the Lord comes like a thief 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.

For when they are saying, “Peace and safety,” then sudden destruction will come on them, like birth pains on a pregnant woman; and they will in no way escape.

4 B ut you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you like a thief;

But you, brothers, aren’t in darkness, that the day should overtake you like a thief.

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

You are all children of light, and children of the day. We don’t belong to the night, nor to darkness,

6 s o then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober.

so then let’s not sleep, as the rest do, but let’s watch and be sober.

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

For those who sleep, sleep in the night, and those who are drunk are drunk in the 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.

But let us, since we belong to the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and, for a helmet, the hope of salvation.

9 F or God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,

For God didn’t appoint us to wrath, but to the obtaining of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,

10 w ho died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him.

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

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

Therefore exhort one another, and build each other up, even as you also do.

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,

But we beg you, brothers, to know those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you,

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

and to respect and honor them in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves.

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

We exhort you, brothers, admonish the disorderly, encourage the faint-hearted, support the weak, be patient toward all.

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.

See that no one returns evil for evil to anyone, but always follow after that which is good, for one another, and for all.

16 R ejoice always;

Rejoice always.

17 p ray without ceasing;

Pray without ceasing.

18 i n everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus toward you.

19 D o not quench the Spirit;

Don’t quench the Spirit.

20 d o not despise prophetic utterances.

Don’t despise prophesies.

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

Test all things, and hold firmly that which is good.

22 a bstain from every form of evil.

Abstain from every form of evil.

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 himself sanctify you completely. May your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

24 F aithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.

He who calls you is faithful, who will also do it.

25 B rethren, pray for us.

Brothers, pray for us.

26 G reet all the brethren with a holy kiss.

Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss.

27 I adjure you by the Lord to have this letter read to all the brethren.

I solemnly command you by the Lord that this letter be read to all the holy brothers.

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

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.