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

But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.

2 Y ou know for sure that the day the Lord comes back to earth will be as a robber coming in the night.

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

3 W hen 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.

For 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.

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

But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.

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

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

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

Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.

7 P eople sleep at night. Those who get drunk do it at night.

For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.

8 B ecause 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.

But 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.

9 G od 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.

For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

10 H e died for us so that, dead or alive, we will be with Him.

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

11 S o comfort each other and make each other strong as you are already doing. Christian Living

Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

12 W e ask you, Christian brothers, to respect those who work among you. The Lord has placed them over you and they are your teachers.

And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;

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

and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves.

14 W e 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.

Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.

15 D o not let anyone pay back for the bad he received. But look for ways to do good to each other and to all people.

See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.

16 B e full of joy all the time.

Rejoice evermore.

17 N ever stop praying.

Pray without ceasing.

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

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

19 D o not try to stop the work of the Holy Spirit.

Quench not the Spirit.

20 D o not laugh at those who speak for God.

Despise not prophesyings.

21 T est everything and do not let good things get away from you.

Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

22 K eep away from everything that even looks like sin.

Abstain from all appearance of evil.

23 M ay 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.

And 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.

24 T he One Who called you is faithful and will do what He promised.

Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.

25 C hristian brothers, pray for us.

Brethren, pray for us.

26 G reet all the Christians with a kiss of holy love.

Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss.

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

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

28 M ay you have loving-favor from our Lord Jesus Christ.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. The first epistle unto the Thessalonians was written from Athens.