First Epistle to the Thessalonians - The New Testament

¹ About times and dates, brothers, there is no need to write to you

² for you are well aware in any case that the Day of the Lord is going to come like a thief in the night.

³ It is when people are saying, 'How quiet and peaceful it is' that sudden destruction falls on them, as suddenly as labour pains come on a pregnant woman; and there is no escape.

⁴ But you, brothers, do not live in the dark, that the Day should take you unawares like a thief.

⁵ No, you are all children of light and children of the day: we do not belong to the night or to darkness,

⁶ so we should not go on sleeping, as everyone else does, but stay wide awake and sober.

⁷ Night is the time for sleepers to sleep and night the time for drunkards to be drunk,

⁸ but we belong to the day and we should be sober; let us put on faith and love for a breastplate, and the hope of salvation for a helmet.

⁹ God destined us not for his retribution, but to win salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,

¹⁰ who died for us so that, awake or asleep, we should still live united to him.

¹¹ So give encouragement to each other, and keep strengthening one another, as you do already.

¹² We appeal to you, my brothers, to be considerate to those who work so hard among you as your leaders in the Lord and those who admonish you.

¹³ Have the greatest respect and affection for them because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.

¹⁴ We urge you, brothers, to admonish those who are undisciplined, encourage the apprehensive, support the weak and be patient with everyone.

¹⁵ Make sure that people do not try to repay evil for evil; always aim at what is best for each other and for everyone.

¹⁶ Always be joyful;

¹⁷ pray constantly;

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

¹⁹ Do not stifle the Spirit

²⁰ or despise the gift of prophecy with contempt;

²¹ test everything and hold on to what is good

²² and shun every form of evil.

²³ May the God of peace make you perfect and holy; and may your spirit, life and body be kept blameless for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

²⁴ He who has called you is trustworthy and will carry it out.

²⁵ Pray for us, my brothers.

²⁶ Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss.

²⁷ My orders, in the Lord's name, are that this letter is to be read to all the brothers.

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