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)

But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.

For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.

For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.

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

Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.

Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.

For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.

But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.

For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

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

11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;

13 And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves.

14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.

15 See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.

16 Rejoice evermore.

17 Pray without ceasing.

18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

19 Quench not the Spirit.

20 Despise not prophesyings.

21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.

23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.

25 Brethren, pray for us.

26 Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss.

27 I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren.

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

The Day of the Lord

But concerning (A)the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. For you yourselves know perfectly that (B)the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then (C)sudden destruction comes upon them, (D)as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. (E)But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. You are all (F)sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. (G)Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but (H)let us watch and be [a]sober. For (I)those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk (J)are drunk at night. But let us who are of the day be sober, (K)putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. For (L)God did not appoint us to wrath, (M)but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 (N)who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.

11 Therefore [b]comfort each other and [c]edify one another, just as you also are doing.

Various Exhortations

12 And we urge you, brethren, (O)to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and [d]admonish you, 13 and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. (P)Be at peace among yourselves.

14 Now we [e]exhort you, brethren, (Q)warn those who are [f]unruly, (R)comfort the fainthearted, (S)uphold the weak, (T)be patient with all. 15 (U)See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always (V)pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.

16 (W)Rejoice always, 17 (X)pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

19 (Y)Do not quench the Spirit. 20 (Z)Do not despise prophecies. 21 (AA)Test all things; (AB)hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil.

Blessing and Admonition

23 Now may (AC)the God of peace Himself (AD)sanctify[g] you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body (AE)be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you is (AF)faithful, who also will (AG)do it.

25 Brethren, pray for us.

26 Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss.

27 I charge you by the Lord that this [h]epistle be read to all the [i]holy brethren.

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

Footnotes

  1. 1 Thessalonians 5:6 self-controlled
  2. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 Or encourage
  3. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 build one another up
  4. 1 Thessalonians 5:12 instruct or warn
  5. 1 Thessalonians 5:14 encourage
  6. 1 Thessalonians 5:14 insubordinate or idle
  7. 1 Thessalonians 5:23 set you apart
  8. 1 Thessalonians 5:27 letter
  9. 1 Thessalonians 5:27 NU omits holy