THE DAY OF THE LORD

5 About the times and the seasons:f Brothers and sisters, you do not need anything to be written to you. 2 For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lordg will come just like a thiefh in the night. 3 When they say, “Peace and security,” then sudden destructioni will come upon them, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 4 But you, brothers and sisters, are not in the dark, for this day to surprise you like a thief.j 5 For you are all children of light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or the darkness.k 6 So then, let us not sleep, like the rest, but let us stay awake and be self-controlled. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlledl and put on the armorm of faith and love, and a helmetn of the hope of salvation. 9 For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lordo Jesus Christ,p 10 who died for us,q so that whether we are awake or asleep,r we may live together with him.s 11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up as you are already doing.

EXHORTATIONS AND BLESSINGS

12 Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to give recognitiont to those who labor among you and lead youC in the Lord and admonish you, 13 and to regard them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peaceu among yourselves. 14 And we exhort you, brothers and sisters:v warn those who are idle,D comfort the discouraged, help the weak, be patientw with everyone. 15 See to it that no one repays evil for evilx to anyone,y but always pursue what is good for one another and for all.z 16 Rejoiceaa always, 17 pray constantly, 18 give thanks in everything; for this is God’s willab for you in Christ Jesus. 19 Don’t stifle the Spirit. 20 Don’t despise prophecies, 21 but test all things.ac Hold on to what is good. 22 Stay awayad from every kind of evil.

23 Now may the God of peaceae himself sanctify you completely. And may your whole spirit,af soul, and body be kept sound and blameless at the comingag of our Lordah Jesus Christ.ai 24 He who callsaj youak is faithful; he will do it. 25 Brothers and sisters, pray for us also. 26 Greet all the brothers and sisters with a holy kiss. 27 I charge you by the Lord that this letter be read to all the brothers and sisters.al 28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.