1 A nd concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need of my writing 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 yourselves have known thoroughly that the day of the Lord as a thief in the night doth so come,

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 may say, Peace and surety, then sudden destruction doth stand by them, as the travail her who is 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 a nd ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day may catch you as a thief;

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

5 a ll ye are 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, we may not sleep as also the others, but watch and be sober,

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

7 f or those sleeping, by night do sleep, and those making themselves drunk, by night are drunken,

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

8 a nd we, being of the day -- let us be sober, putting on a breastplate of faith and love, and an helmet -- a 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 b ecause God did not appoint us to anger, but to the acquiring of 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 did die for us, that whether we wake -- whether we sleep -- together with him we may live;

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

11 w herefore, comfort ye one another, and build ye up, one the one, as also ye do.

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

12 A nd we ask you, brethren, to know those labouring among you, and leading you in the Lord, and admonishing 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 abundantly in love, because of their work; 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 a nd we exhort you, brethren, admonish the disorderly, comfort the feeble-minded, support the infirm, be patient unto all;

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 no one evil for evil may render to any one, but always that which is good pursue ye, both to one another and to all;

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 a lways rejoice ye;

Be full of joy all the time.

17 c ontinually pray ye;

Never stop praying.

18 i n every thing give thanks, for this the will of God in Christ Jesus in regard to you.

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

19 T he Spirit quench not;

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

20 p rophesyings despise not;

Do not laugh at those who speak for God.

21 a ll things prove; that which is good hold fast;

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

22 f rom all appearance of evil abstain ye;

Keep away from everything that even looks like sin.

23 a nd the God of the peace Himself sanctify you wholly, and may your whole spirit, and soul, and body, be preserved unblameably in the presence 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 s tedfast is He who is calling you, who also will do.

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 s alute all the brethren in an holy kiss;

Greet all the Christians with a kiss of holy love.

27 I charge you the Lord, that the letter be read to 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 with you! Amen.

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