^5:2For you know quite well that the day of the Lord³ will come in the same way as a thief in the night.⁴^5:3Now when⁵ they are saying, “There is peace and security,”⁶ then sudden destruction comes on them, like labor pains⁷ on a pregnant woman, and they will surely not escape.

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Footnotes

3 The day of the Lord is the period of time in the future when the Lord will intervene in the events of this earth to consummate his redemption and his judgment (Isa 2:11–12; 13:6–13; Ezek 30:3; Joel 1:15; 2:32; 3:18; Amos 5:18–20; Obad 15–17; Zeph 1:7–18; 2:2–3; Zech 14:1, 13, 20–21; Mal 4:1, 5; 1 Cor 1:8; 5:5; 2 Cor 1:14; 2 Thess 2:2; 2 Pet 3:10). It includes both blessings and curses, though the latter is emphasized here.
4 Jesus used a thief coming at night as an illustration of the unexpected and hostile nature of the coming of God’s judgment in the future. This is repeated in various ways in v. 4; 2 Pet 3:10; Rev 3:3; 16:15.
5 δέ (de, “now”) is found in א2 B D 0226 6 1505 1739 1881 , but lacking in א* A F G 33 it. γάρ (gar, “for”) is the reading of the Byzantine text and a few other witnesses (Ψ 0278 𝔐). Although normally the shorter reading is to be preferred, the external evidence is superior for δέ (being found in the somewhat better Alexandrian and Western witnesses). What, then, is to explain the γάρ? Scribes were prone to replace δέ with γάρ, especially in sentences suggesting a causal or explanatory idea, thus making the point more explicit. Internally, the omission of δέ looks unintentional, a case of homoioarcton (ΟΤΑΝΔΕΛΕΓΩΣΙΝ). Although a decision is difficult, in this instance δέ has the best credentials for authenticity.
6 Grk “peace and security,” with “there is” understood in the Greek construction.
7 Grk a singular “birth pain.”

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

NIVNew International Version (2011)

for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

CSBChristian Standard Bible

For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night. When they say, “Peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

NLTNew Living Translation

For you know quite well that the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night. When people are saying, “Everything is peaceful and secure,” then disaster will fall on them as suddenly as a pregnant woman’s labor pains begin. And there will be no escape.

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

for you yourselves well know that the day of the Lord is coming in the same way as a thief in the night. Whenever they say “Peace and security,” then sudden destruction will overtake them like the birth pains of a pregnant woman, and they will not possibly escape.

KJV 1900King James Version

For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.

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