1 Thessalonians 5

¹ Concerning times and seasons, brothers, you have no need for anything to be written to you.

² For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief at night.

³ When people are saying, "Peace and security," then sudden disaster comes upon them, like labor pains upon a pregnant woman,and they will not escape.

⁴ But you, brothers, are not in darkness, for that day to overtake you like a thief.

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

⁶ Therefore, let us not sleep as the rest do, but let us stay alert and sober.

⁷ Those who sleep go to sleep at night, and those who are drunk get drunk at night.

⁸ But since we are of the day, let us be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love and the helmet that is hope for salvation.

⁹ For God did not destine us for wrath, but to gain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,

¹⁰ who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep we may live together with him.

¹¹ Therefore, encourage one another and build one another up, as indeed you do.

¹² We ask you, brothers, to respect those who are laboring among you and who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you,

¹³ and to show esteem for them with special love on account of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.

¹⁴ We urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, cheer the fainthearted, support the weak, be patient with all.

¹⁵ See that no one returns evil for evil; rather, always seek what is good (both) for each other and for all.

¹⁶ Rejoice always.

¹⁷ Pray without ceasing.

¹⁸ In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.

¹⁹ Do not quench the Spirit.

²⁰ Do not despise prophetic utterances.

²¹ Test everything; retain what is good.

²² Refrain from every kind of evil.

²³ May the God of peace himself make you perfectly holy and may you entirely, spirit, soul, and body, be preserved blameless for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

²⁴ The one who calls you is faithful, and he will also accomplish it.

²⁵ Brothers, pray for us (too).

²⁶ Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss.

²⁷ I adjure you by the Lord that this letter be read to all the brothers.

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