The First Epistle of Paul to the Thessalonians

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- Chapter 5 -

(Zephaniah 1:7–18; Malachi 4:1–6; 2 Peter 3:8–13)

Now about the times and seasons, brothers, we do not need to write to you.

For you are fully aware that the Day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.

While people are saying, “Peace and security,” destruction will come upon them suddenly, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

But you, brothers, are not in the darkness so that this day should overtake you like a thief.

For you are all sons of the light and sons of the day; we do not belong to the night or to the darkness.

So then, let us not sleep as the others do, but let us remain awake and sober.

For those who sleep, sleep at night; and those who get drunk, get drunk at night.

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

For God has not appointed us to suffer wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.

He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with Him.

Therefore encourage and build one another up, just as you are already doing.

Christian Living

But we ask you, brothers, to acknowledge those who work diligently among you, who preside over you in the Lord and give you instruction.

In love, hold them in highest regard because of their work. Live in peace with one another.

And we urge you, brothers, to admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, and be patient with everyone.

Make sure that no one repays evil for evil. Always pursue what is good for one another and for all people.

Rejoice at all times.

Pray without ceasing.

Give thanks in every circumstance, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Do not extinguish the Spirit.

Do not treat prophecies with contempt,

but test all things. Hold fast to what is good.

Abstain from every form of evil.

Final Blessings and Instructions

Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely, and may your entire spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless (a) at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The One who calls you is faithful, and He will do it.

Brothers, pray for us as well.

Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss.

I charge you before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.(b)

Footnotes

(a)5:23 Or may your spirit, soul, and body be kept entirely blameless

(b)5:28 BYZ and TR include Amen.

(Zephaniah 1:7–18; Malachi 4:1–6; 2 Peter 3:8–13)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Christian Living

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

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

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

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

Always rejoice.

Pray without ceasing.

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

Don’t quench the Spirit.

Don’t despise prophecies.

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

Abstain from every form of evil.

Final Blessings and Instructions

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.

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

Brothers, pray for us.

Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss.

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

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