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

But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to 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 you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes 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 say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. 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 you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this 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.

You are all sons of light and sons 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 others do, but let us watch and be sober.

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

For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at 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 as a 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 did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through 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

Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing. Various Exhortations

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 urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor 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. 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 those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all.

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 no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.

16 B e full of joy all the time.

Rejoice always,

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 everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

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

Do not quench the Spirit.

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

Do not despise prophecies.

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

Test all things; hold fast what is good.

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

Abstain from every form of evil. Blessing and Admonition

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.

Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

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

He who calls you is faithful, 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 a 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 to 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.