The Day of the Lord

1Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you do not need to be written to,

2for you yourselves know very well that the Day of the Lord comes just like a thief in the night.

3For whenever they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction is standing near them, like labor pains to a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. ⁵⁷

Live as sons of light

4But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this Day should come upon you like a thief.

5You are all sons of light and sons of day; we are not of night, nor of darkness.

6So then, let us not sleep, ⁵⁸like the rest, but let us stay alert and sober; ⁵⁹

7because those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night;

8but we being of day, let us be sober, putting on a breastplate of faith and love, and a helmet of hope of salvation. ⁶⁰

9For God did not appoint us to undergo wrath but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, ⁶¹

10who died for us so that whether awake or asleep we may live together with Him. ⁶²

11Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, as in fact you do.

Esteem spiritual leaders

12Now we urge you, brothers, to recognize those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you,

13and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.

A variety of instructions

14Now we exhort you, brothers: admonish the disorderly, encourage the fainthearted, be supportive of the weak, be patient toward all. ⁶³

15See that no one pays back bad for bad to anyone, ⁶⁴but always pursue the good, both for one another and for all. ⁶⁵

16Rejoice always!

17Pray continually!

18Give thanks in everything, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. ⁶⁶

19Do not quench the Spirit! ⁶⁷

20Do not disdain prophesies,

21but test everything; ⁶⁸hold on to the good.

22Keep away from every form of evil! ⁶⁹

Complete sanctification

23Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body ⁷⁰be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

24He who calls you is faithful, and He will do it.

Farewell

25Brothers, pray for us.

26Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss.

27I adjure you by the Lord that this letter be read to all the holy brothers. ⁷¹

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