1Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers,[1] you have no need to have anything written to you. (Da 2:21; Ac 1:7; 1Th 4:9)2For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. (Mt 24:43; Lu 17:24; 2Th 2:2)3While 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. (Ps 35:8; Isa 13:8; Lu 17:26; Lu 21:34; 2Th 1:9)4But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. (1Jo 2:8)5For you are all children[2] of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. (Lu 16:8)6So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. (Mt 24:42; Mr 13:36; Ro 13:11; 1Pe 1:13)7For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night. (Ac 2:15; 2Pe 2:13)8But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. (Isa 59:17; Eph 6:14; Eph 6:17; Eph 6:23)9For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, (1Th 1:10; 2Th 2:13; Heb 10:39)10who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. (Ro 14:9; 2Ti 2:11)11Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.
Final Instructions and Benediction
12We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, (1Co 16:16; 1Co 16:18; Php 2:29; Heb 13:17)13and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. (Mr 9:50)14And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle,[3] encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. (Isa 35:4; Ac 20:35; Ro 15:1; 1Co 13:4; 2Th 3:6; 2Th 3:11; Heb 12:12)15See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. (Ro 12:9; Ro 12:17; Ga 6:10; 1Pe 3:9)16Rejoice always, (Php 4:4)17pray without ceasing, (Lu 18:1)18give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (Eph 5:20)19Do not quench the Spirit. (1Co 14:30; Eph 4:30; 1Ti 4:14; 2Ti 1:6)20Do not despise prophecies, (1Co 11:4)21but test everything; hold fast what is good. (Job 34:4; Eph 5:10; 1Jo 4:1)22Abstain from every form of evil.23Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Ex 31:13; Lu 1:46; Joh 17:17; Ro 15:33; 1Co 14:14; 1Th 2:19; Heb 4:12; 2Pe 3:14; Jud 1:1)24He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it. (1Co 1:9; Php 1:6)25Brothers, pray for us. (2Th 3:1; Heb 13:18)26Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss. (Ro 16:16)27I put you under oath before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers. (Col 4:16)28The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. (Ro 16:20)
1 Thessalonians 5
King James Version
1But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.2For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.3For 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.4But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.5Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.6Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.7For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.8But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.9For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,10Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.11Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.12And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;13And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves.14Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.15See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.16Rejoice evermore.17Pray without ceasing.18In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.19Quench not the Spirit.20Despise not prophesyings.21Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.22Abstain from all appearance of evil.23And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.24Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.25Brethren, pray for us.26Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss.27I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren.28The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.