1 Thessalonians 5

The day of the Lord comes as a thief

Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you,a ²for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.b ³While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.c

⁴But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. ⁵You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness.d ⁶So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober.e

⁷For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. ⁸But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.f ⁹For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.g

¹⁰He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him.h ¹¹Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.i

How to live together

¹²Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you.j ¹³Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. ¹⁴And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone.k

¹⁵Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.l ¹⁶Rejoice always,m ¹⁷pray continually,n ¹⁸give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.o

¹⁹Do not quench the Spirit.p ²⁰Do not treat prophecies with contemptq ²¹but test them all; hold on to what is good,r ²²reject every kind of evil.s

May God keep you blameless

²³May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.t ²⁴The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.u ²⁵Brothers and sisters, pray for us.

²⁶Greet all God’s people with a holy kiss.v ²⁷I charge you before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers and sisters. ²⁸The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.