The Day of the Lord Comes
The day comes like a thief, but they are not in the dark about it, so stay awake and clearheaded. The close is a rapid list: respect your leaders, comfort the discouraged, be patient, rejoice, pray, give thanks, test everything, and hold on to what is good.
5 1Now about the times and seasons, brothers and sisters, you need nothing written to you. 2You yourselves know very well that the day of our Lord Jesus comes like a thief in the night. 3When people say, "Peace and safety," sudden destruction hits them—like labor pains on a pregnant woman—and they won't escape. 4But you, brothers and sisters, aren't in darkness for that day to surprise you like a thief. 5You are all children of light and children of day; we belong to neither night nor darkness. 6So then, let us not sleep like the rest, but stay alert and clearheaded. 7For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. 8But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, wearing faith and love as a breastplate, and hope of salvation as a helmet. 9For our Father has not destined us for wrath, but to gain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10who died for us, so that awake or asleep, we would live together with him. 11Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.
Living as Children of Light
12We ask you, brothers and sisters, to respect those who work hard among you, lead you in the Lord, and correct you. 13Esteem them most highly in love for their work. Live at peace with one another.
14Brothers and sisters, we urge you: correct the idle, comfort the discouraged, support the weak, be patient with all. 15See that none repay evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue good for one another and for all.
16Rejoice always, 17pray without ceasing, 18give thanks in everything; for this is the will of our Father in Christ Jesus for you. 19Don't extinguish the Holy Spirit. 20Do not treat prophecies with contempt, 21but test everything; hold on to what is good. 22Stay away from every kind of evil.
23May our Father of peace himself make you completely holy, and may your entire spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at our Lord Jesus Christ's coming. 24The one who calls you is faithful; he will surely bring it about.
25Brothers and sisters, pray for us.
26Greet all the brothers and sisters with a holy kiss. 27I charge you before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers and sisters.
28The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
