GodsWord - I Thessalonians - 5

5:1  Brothers and sisters, you don't need anyone to write to you about times and dates.

5:2  You know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.

5:3  When people say, "Everything is safe and sound!" destruction will suddenly strike them. It will be as sudden as labor pains come to a pregnant woman. They won't be able to escape.

5:4  But, brothers and sisters, you don't live in the dark. That day won't take you by surprise as a thief would.

5:5  You belong to the day and the light not to the night and the dark.

5:6  Therefore, we must not fall asleep like other people, but we must stay awake and be sober.

5:7  People who sleep, sleep at night; people who get drunk, get drunk at night.

5:8  Since we belong to the day, we must be sober. We must put on faith and love as a breastplate and the hope of salvation as a helmet.

5:9  It was not God's intention that we experience his anger but that we obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.

5:10  He died for us so that, whether we are awake in this life or asleep in death, we will live together with him.

5:11  Therefore, encourage each other and strengthen one another as you are doing.

5:12  Brothers and sisters, we ask you to show your appreciation for those leaders who work among you and instruct you.

5:13  We ask you to love them and think very highly of them because of the work they are doing. Live in peace with each other.

5:14  We encourage you, brothers and sisters, to instruct those who are not living right, cheer up those who are discouraged, help the weak, and be patient with everyone.

5:15  Make sure that no one ever pays back one wrong with another wrong. Instead, always try to do what is good for each other and everyone else.

5:16  Always be joyful.

5:17  Never stop praying.

5:18  Whatever happens, give thanks, because it is God's will in Christ Jesus that you do this.

5:19  Don't put out the Spirit's fire.

5:20  Don't despise what God has revealed.

5:21  Instead, test everything. Hold on to what is good.

5:22  Keep away from every kind of evil.

5:23  May the God who gives peace make you holy in every way. May he keep your whole being--spirit, soul, and body--blameless when our Lord Jesus Christ comes.

5:24  The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this.

5:25  Brothers and sisters, pray for us.

5:26  Greet all the brothers and sisters with a holy kiss.

5:27  In the Lord's name, I order you to read this letter to all the brothers and sisters.

5:28  The good will of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.