- 1But concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need that anything be written to you.
- 2For you yourselves know well that the day of the Lord comes like a thief in the night.
- 3For when they are saying, “Peace and safety,” then sudden destruction will come on them, like birth pains on a pregnant woman; and they will in no way escape.
- 4But you, brothers, aren’t in darkness, that the day should overtake you like a thief.
- 5You are all children of light, and children of the day. We don’t belong to the night, nor to darkness,
- 6so then let’s not sleep, as the rest do, but let’s watch and be sober.
- 7For those who sleep, sleep in the night, and those who are drunk are drunk in the night.
- 8But let us, since we belong to the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and, for a helmet, the hope of salvation.
- 9For God didn’t appoint us to wrath, but to the obtaining of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,
- 10who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.
- 11Therefore exhort one another, and build each other up, even as you also do.
- 12But we beg you, brothers, to know those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you,
- 13and to respect and honor them in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves.
- 14We exhort you, brothers, admonish the disorderly, encourage the faint-hearted, support the weak, be patient toward all.
- 15See that no one returns evil for evil to anyone, but always follow after that which is good, for one another, and for all.
- 16Rejoice always.
- 17Pray without ceasing.
- 18In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus toward you.
- 19Don’t quench the Spirit.
- 20Don’t despise prophesies.
- 21Test all things, and hold firmly that which is good.
- 22Abstain from every form of evil.
- 23May the God of peace himself sanctify you completely. May your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
- 24He who calls you is faithful, who will also do it.
- 25Brothers, pray for us.
- 26Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss.
- 27I solemnly command you by the Lord that this letter be read to all the holy brothers.
- 28The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.