1Brothers and sisters, we don't need to write anything to you about prophetic times and dates.

2You yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.

3When people talk about peace and security suddenly they will be completely ruined. It will be just like the sudden onset of childbirth, and they certainly won't escape.

4But you, brothers and sisters, are not in the dark about this so that you won't be caught by surprise when the Day of Judgment ⁸arrives suddenly like a thief.

5For you are all children of light and children of the day. We don't belong to the night or to darkness.

6So then we shouldn't be sleeping like everybody else—we should stay awake and keep ourselves clear-headed.

7For it's during the night that people sleep; and it's at night that they get drunk.

8But since we belong to the day we should keep our heads clear. We strap on the breastplate of trust and love. We put on the hope of salvation as a helmet.

9For God hasn't placed us in a position to be punished, but has reserved us for salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.

10He's the one who died for ⁹us so that whether we're alive or dead we shall live together with him.

11So encourage and strengthen one another, just as you are doing.

12Brothers and sisters, we're asking you to respect those who work with you, who lead you in the Lord and teach you.

13You should value them highly in love for the work they do. Live in peace with each other.

14We urge you, brothers and sisters, to warn those who are lazy, encourage those who are anxious, help those who are weak, and be patient with everyone.

15Make sure none of you pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to one another, and to everyone.

16Always be full of joy,

17never stop praying,

18be thankful in every situation—because this is what God in Christ Jesus wants you to do.

19Don't hold the Spirit back,

20don't look down on prophecy,

21make sure to check everything. Hold on to whatever is good;

22keep away from every kind of evil.

23May the God of peace himself make you completely holy, and may your whole being—body, mind and spirit—be kept blameless for when our Lord Jesus Christ returns.

24The one who calls you is trustworthy, and he will do this.

25Brothers and sisters, pray for us.

26Greet all the believers there affectionately. ¹⁰

27I'm requiring you by the Lord that this letter be read to all the believers.

28May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.