1 Thessalonians 5

The Day of the Lordⓘ

The Day of the Lord and being ready¹Now about the times and seasons, brothers, we do not need to write to you. ²For you are fully aware that the Day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. ³While people are saying, “Peace and security,” destruction will come upon them suddenly, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

⁴But you, brothers, are not in the darkness so that this day should overtake you like a thief. ⁵For you are all sons of the light and sons of the day; we do not belong to the night or to the darkness. ⁶So then, let us not sleep as the others do, but let us remain awake and sober. 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 the breastplate of faith and love, and the helmet of our hope of salvation.

⁹For God has not appointed us to suffer wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. ¹⁰He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with Him. ¹¹Therefore encourage and build one another up, just as you are already doing.

Christian Livingⓘ

Community life and short commands¹²But we ask you, brothers, to acknowledge those who work diligently among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. ¹³In love, hold them in highest regard because of their work. Live in peace with one another.

¹⁴And we urge you, brothers, to admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, and be patient with everyone.

¹⁵Make sure that no one repays evil for evil. Always pursue what is good for one another and for all people.

¹⁶Rejoice at all times. ¹⁷Pray without ceasing. ¹⁸Give thanks in every circumstance, for this is Godʼs will for you in Christ Jesus.

¹⁹Do not extinguish the Spirit. ²⁰Do not treat prophecies with contempt, ²¹but test all things. Hold fast to what is good. ²²Abstain from every form of evil.

Final Blessings and Instructionsⓘ

Closing prayer and greetings²³Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely, and may your entire spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless^a at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁴The One who calls you is faithful, and He will do it.

²⁵Brothers, pray for us as well.

²⁶Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss.

²⁷I charge you before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers.

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