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But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that ye should be written to,

for ye know perfectly well yourselves, that the day of [the] Lord so comes as a thief by night.

When they may say, Peace and safety, then sudden destruction comes upon them, as travail upon her that is with child; and they shall in no wise escape.

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

for all *ye* are sons of light and sons of day; we are not of night nor of darkness.

So then do not let us sleep as the rest do, but let us watch and be sober;

for they that sleep sleep by night, and they that drink drink by night;

but *we* being of [the] day, let us be sober, putting on [the] breastplate of faith and love, and as helmet [the] hope of salvation;

because God has not set us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,

10 who has died for us, that whether we may be watching or sleep, we may live together with him.

11 Wherefore encourage one another, and build up each one the other, even as also ye do.

12 But we beg you, brethren, to know those who labour among you, and take the lead among you in [the] Lord, and admonish you,

13 and to regard them exceedingly in love on account of their work. Be in peace among yourselves.

14 But we exhort you, brethren, admonish the disorderly, comfort the faint-hearted, sustain the weak, be patient towards all.

15 See that no one render to any evil for evil, but pursue always what is good towards one another and towards all;

16 rejoice always;

17 pray unceasingly;

18 in everything give thanks, for this is [the] will of God in Christ Jesus towards you;

19 quench not the Spirit;

20 do not lightly esteem prophecies;

21 but prove all things, hold fast the right;

22 hold aloof from every form of wickedness.

23 Now the God of peace himself sanctify you wholly: and your whole spirit, and soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

24 He [is] faithful who calls you, who will also perform [it].

25 Brethren, pray for us.

26 Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss.

27 I adjure you by the Lord that the letter be read to all the [holy] brethren.

28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ [be] with you.

The Day of the Lord

Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates(A) we do not need to write to you,(B) for you know very well that the day of the Lord(C) will come like a thief in the night.(D) While people are saying, “Peace and safety,”(E) destruction will come on them suddenly,(F) as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.(G)

But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness(H) so that this day should surprise you like a thief.(I) You are all children of the light(J) and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep,(K) but let us be awake(L) and sober.(M) For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night.(N) But since we belong to the day,(O) let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate,(P) and the hope of salvation(Q) as a helmet.(R) For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath(S) but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.(T) 10 He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him.(U) 11 Therefore encourage one another(V) and build each other up,(W) just as in fact you are doing.

Final Instructions

12 Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard(X) among you, who care for you in the Lord(Y) and who admonish you. 13 Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.(Z) 14 And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle(AA) and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak,(AB) be patient with everyone. 15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong,(AC) but always strive to do what is good for each other(AD) and for everyone else.

16 Rejoice always,(AE) 17 pray continually,(AF) 18 give thanks in all circumstances;(AG) for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

19 Do not quench the Spirit.(AH) 20 Do not treat prophecies(AI) with contempt 21 but test them all;(AJ) hold on to what is good,(AK) 22 reject every kind of evil.

23 May God himself, the God of peace,(AL) sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul(AM) and body be kept blameless(AN) at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.(AO) 24 The one who calls(AP) you is faithful,(AQ) and he will do it.(AR)

25 Brothers and sisters, pray for us.(AS) 26 Greet all God’s people with a holy kiss.(AT) 27 I charge you before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers and sisters.(AU)

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