Chapter 5

The Day of the Lord

1 Now as to the atimes and the epochs, brethren, you bhave no need of anything to be written to you.

2 For you yourselves know full well that athe day of the Lord 1will come bjust like a thief in the night.

3 While they are saying, “aPeace and safety!” then 1bdestruction 2will come upon them suddenly like clabor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape.

4 But you, brethren, are not in adarkness, that the day would overtake you 1blike a thief;

5 for you are all asons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of bdarkness;

6 so then let us not asleep as 1bothers do, but let us be alert and 2csober.

7 For those who sleep do their sleeping at night, and those who get drunk get adrunk at night.

8 But since awe are of the day, let us bbe 1sober, having put on the cbreastplate of dfaith and love, and as a ehelmet, the fhope of salvation.

9 For God has not destined us for awrath, but for bobtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,

10 awho died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him.

11 Therefore 1encourage one another and abuild up one another, just as you also are doing.

Christian Conduct

12 But we request of you, brethren, that you 1aappreciate those bwho diligently labor among you, and chave charge over you in the Lord and give you 2instruction,

13 and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. aLive in peace with one another.

14 We urge you, brethren, admonish athe 1unruly, encourage bthe fainthearted, help cthe weak, be dpatient with everyone.

15 See that ano one repays another with evil for evil, but always bseek after that which is good for one another and for all people.

16 aRejoice always;

17 apray without ceasing;

18 in everything agive thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

19 aDo not quench the Spirit;

20 do not despise aprophetic 1utterances.

21 But aexamine everything carefully; bhold fast to that which is good;

22 abstain from every 1form of evil.

23 Now amay the God of peace bHimself sanctify you entirely; and may your cspirit and soul and body be preserved complete, dwithout blame at ethe coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

24 aFaithful is He who bcalls you, and He also will bring it to pass.

25 Brethren, apray for us1.

26 aGreet all the brethren with a holy kiss.

27 I adjure you by the Lord to ahave this letter read to all the bbrethren.

28 aThe grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.