1 Thessalonians

The Day of the Lord

1Now about the times and seasons, brothers, we do not need to write to you.

2For you are fully aware that the Day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.

3While people are saying, “Peace and security,” destruction will come upon them suddenly, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

4But you, brothers, are not in the darkness so that this day should overtake you like a thief.

5For you are all sons of the light and sons of the day; we do not belong to the night or to the darkness.

6So then, let us not sleep as the others do, but let us remain awake and sober.

7For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night.

8But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and the helmet of our hope of salvation.

9For God has not appointed us to suffer wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.

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

11Therefore encourage and build one another up, just as you are already doing.

Christian Living

12But we ask you, brothers, to acknowledge those who work diligently among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you.

13In love, hold them in highest regard because of their work. Live in peace with one another.

14And we urge you, brothers, to admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, and be patient with everyone.

15Make sure that no one repays evil for evil. Always pursue what is good for one another and for all people.

16Rejoice at all times.

17Pray without ceasing.

18Give thanks in every circumstance, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

19Do not extinguish the Spirit.

20Do not treat prophecies with contempt,

21but test all things. Hold fast to what is good.

22Abstain from every form of evil.

Final Blessings and Instructions

23Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely, and may your entire spirit, soul, and body be kept blamelessat the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

24The One who calls you is faithful, and He will do it.

25Brothers, pray for us as well.

26Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss.

27I charge you before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers.

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

1But of the times and moments, brethren, you need not, that we should write to you;

2For yourselves know perfectly, that the day of the Lord shall so come, as a thief in the night.

3For when they shall say, peace and security; then shall sudden destruction come upon them, as the pains upon her that is with child, and they shall not escape.

4But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.

5For all you are the children of light, and children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.

6Therefore, let us not sleep, as others do; but let us watch, and be sober.

7For they that sleep, sleep in the night; and they that are drunk, are drunk in the night.

8But let us, who are of the day, be sober, having on the breastplate of faith and charity, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.

9For God hath not appointed us unto wrath, but unto the purchasing of salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

10Who died for us; that, whether we watch or sleep, we may live together with him.

11For which cause comfort one another; and edify one another, as you also do.

12And we beseech you, brethren, to know them who labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you:

13That you esteem them more abundantly in charity, for their work’s sake. Have peace with them.

14And we beseech you, brethren, rebuke the unquiet, comfort the feeble minded, support the weak, be patient towards all men.

15See that none render evil for evil to any man; but ever follow that which is good towards each other, and towards all men.

16Always rejoice.

17Pray without ceasing.

18In all things give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you all.

19Extinguish not the spirit.

20Despise not prophecies.

21But prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

22From all appearance of evil refrain yourselves.

23And may the God of peace himself sanctify you in all things; that your whole spirit, and soul, and body, may be preserved blameless in the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

24He is faithful who hath called you, who also will do it.

25Brethren, pray for us.

26Salute all the brethren with a holy kiss.

27I charge you by the Lord, that this epistle be read to all the holy brethren.

28The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.