1 Thessalonians 5

Chapter 5

¹But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that ye should be written to, ²for ye know perfectly well yourselves, that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief by night. ³When they may say, Peace and safety, then sudden destruction comes upon them, as travail upon her that is with child; and they shall in no wise escape. ⁴But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day should overtake you as a thief: ⁵for all ye are sons of light and sons of day; we are not of night nor of darkness.

⁶So then do not let us sleep as the rest do, but let us watch and be sober; ⁷for they that sleep sleep by night, and they that drink drink by night; ⁸but we being of the day, let us be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as helmet the hope of salvation; ⁹because God has not set us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, ¹⁰who has died for us, that whether we may be watching or sleep, we may live together with him.

¹¹Wherefore encourage one another, and build up each one the other, even as also ye do. ¹²But we beg you, brethren, to know those who labour among you, and take the lead among you in the Lord, and admonish you, ¹³and to regard them exceedingly in love on account of their work. Be in peace among yourselves. ¹⁴But we exhort you, brethren, admonish the disorderly, comfort the faint-hearted, sustain the weak, be patient towards all. ¹⁵See that no one render to any evil for evil, but pursue always what is good towards one another and towards all;

¹⁶rejoice always; ¹⁷pray unceasingly; ¹⁸in everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus towards you; ¹⁹quench not the Spirit; ²⁰do not lightly esteem prophecies; ²¹but prove all things, hold fast the right; ²²hold aloof from every form of wickedness.

²³Now the God of peace himself sanctify you wholly: and your whole spirit, and soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁴He is faithful who calls you, who will also perform it. ²⁵Brethren, pray for us. ²⁶Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss. ²⁷I adjure you by the Lord that the letter be read to all the holy brethren. ²⁸The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.