1 Thessalonians

5 But as to the times, brothers, how long and when, you are in no need of being written to, 2 for you yourselves definitely know that as a thief comes in the night, so comes the Day of the Lord. 3 When they say “peace and safety,” then destruction is upon them suddenly, as the birth-pang comes upon a pregnant woman, and they shall not escape. 4 But you, brothers, are not in darkness, to have the Day catch you as a thief does; 5 for you are all of you sons of the light and of the day. We do not belong to the night nor to the darkness; 6 so then let us not sleep as the rest do, but keep awake and sober. 7 For sleepers sleep in the night, and drinkers are drunk in the night; 8 but let us, who belong to the day, keep sober, putting on the armor of faith and love and as helmet the hope of salvation, 9* because God did not destine us to his anger but to be preserved by salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ 10 who died for us in order that whether we were awake or asleep we might along with him be alive. 11 Wherefore cheer each other on and each one build the next one up, the same way you are doing.

12 And we beg you, brothers, to know those who do the hard work among you and take the lead in your affairs in the Lord and admonish you, 13 and to hold them very specially in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. 14 And we urge you, brothers, admonish the disorderly, cheer up the fainthearted, stand by the weak, be patient with everybody; 15 see that nobody pays anybody back a bad turn for a bad, but always make good your object, toward each other and toward everybody.

16 Be always joyous, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in everything, for this is God’s will in Jesus Christ toward you. 19 Do not put out the fire of the Spirit; 20 do not scorn prophesyings; 21 but try the quality of everything, hold on to what is good, 22 reject every bad article.

23 And may he, the God of peace, sanctify you to perfection, and your spirits and souls and bodies be kept faultlessly safe and sound at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you is trustworthy, and do it he will.

25 Brothers, pray for us too.

26 Give our greetings to all the brothers with a holy kiss. 27 I adjure you by the Lord that the letter be read to all the brothers.

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