The Day of the Lord

5 About the times and the seasons: z * Brothers, you do not need anything to be written to you. 2 For you yourselves know very well that the Day of the Lord a will come just like a thief b in the night. 3 When they say, “Peace and security,” then sudden destruction c comes on them, like labor pains come on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 4 But you, brothers, are not in the dark, for this day to overtake you like a thief. d 5 For you are all sons of light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or the darkness. e 6 So then, we must not sleep, like the rest, but we must stay awake and be serious. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. 8 But since we belong to the day, we must be serious f and put the armor g of faith and love on our chests, and put on a helmet h of the hope of salvation. 9 For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord i Jesus Christ, j 10 who died for us, k so that whether we are awake or * asleep, l we will live together with Him. m 11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up as you are already doing.

Exhortations and Blessings

12 Now we ask you, brothers, to give recognition n to those who labor among you and lead you in the Lord and admonish you, 13 and to regard them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace o among yourselves. 14 And we exhort you, brothers: p warn those who are irresponsible, q comfort the discouraged, help the weak, be patient r with everyone. 15 See to it that no one repays evil for evil s to anyone, t but always pursue what is good for one another and for all. u

16 Rejoice v always!

17 Pray constantly.

18 Give thanks in everything,

for this is God’s will w for you in Christ Jesus.

19 Don’t stifle the Spirit.

20 Don’t despise prophecies,

21 but test all things. x

Hold on to what is good.

22 Stay away y from every kind of evil.

23 Now may the God of peace z Himself * sanctify you completely. And may your spirit, a soul, and body be kept sound and blameless for the coming b of our Lord c Jesus Christ. d 24 He who calls e you f is faithful, who also will do it. 25 Brothers, pray for us also. 26 Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss. 27 I charge you by the Lord that this letter be read to all the brothers. g 28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.