Paul’s First Letter to the Thessalonians - Chapter 5

^5:1But concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need that anything be written to you. ^5:2For you yourselves know well that the day of the Lord comes like a thief in the night. ^5:3For when they are saying, "Peace and safety," then sudden destruction will come on them, like birth pains on a pregnant woman; and they will in no way escape. ^5:4But you, brothers, aren't in darkness, that the day should overtake you like a thief. ^5:5You are all sons of light, and sons of the day. We don't belong to the night, nor to darkness, ^5:6so then let's not sleep, as the rest do, but let's watch and be sober. ^5:7For those who sleep, sleep in the night, and those who are drunken are drunken in the night. ^5:8But let us, since we belong to the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and, for a helmet, the hope of salvation. ^5:9For God didn't appoint us to wrath, but to the obtaining of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, ^5:10who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. ^5:11Therefore exhort one another, and build each other up, even as you also do. ^5:12But we beg you, brothers, to know those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you, ^5:13and to respect and honor them in love for their work's sake.

Be at peace among yourselves. ^5:14We exhort you, brothers, admonish the disorderly, encourage the fainthearted, support the weak, be patient toward all. ^5:15See that no one returns evil for evil to anyone, but always follow after that which is good, for one another, and for all.

^5:16Rejoice always. ^5:17Pray without ceasing. ^5:18In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus toward you. ^5:19Don't quench the Spirit. ^5:20Don't despise prophesies. ^5:21Test all things, and hold firmly that which is good. ^5:22Abstain from every form of evil.

^5:23May the God of peace himself sanctify you completely. May your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

^5:24Faithful is he who calls you, who will also do it. ^5:25Brothers, pray for us. ^5:26Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss. ^5:27I solemnly charge you by the Lord that this letter be read to all the holy brothers.

^5:28The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.