First Thessalonians 5

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¹Now concerning the times and seasons, brothers, you have no need that anything be written to you.

²For you yourselves know perfectly well that the day of the Lord is coming like a thief in the night.

³When they say, “Peace and safety,” then sudden destruction will come on them. It will be like birth pains in a pregnant woman. They will in no way escape.

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

⁵For you are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We are not sons of the night or the darkness.

⁶So then, let us not sleep as the rest do. Instead, let us keep watch and be sober.

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

⁸But since we belong to the day, we must stay sober and put on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation for our helmet.

⁹For God did not appoint us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.

¹⁰It is he who died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him.

¹¹Therefore comfort one another and build each other up, just as you are already doing.

¹²We ask you, brothers, to acknowledge those who labor among you and who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you.

¹³We also ask you to regard them highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.

¹⁴We exhort you, brothers: Warn the disorderly, encourage the discouraged, help the weak, and be patient toward all.

¹⁵See that no one pays back evil for evil to anyone. Instead, pursue what 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 for you.

¹⁹Do not quench the Spirit.

²⁰Do not despise prophecies.

²¹Test all things. Hold on to what is good.

²²Avoid every appearance of evil.

²³May the God of peace make you completely holy. May your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved without blame for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

²⁴Faithful is he who calls you, the one who will also do it.

²⁵Brothers, pray also for us.

²⁶Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss.

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

²⁸May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.