OEBcth - I Thessalonians - 5

5:1  But as to the times and the moments, there is no need, friends, for anyone to write to you.

5:2  You yourselves know well that the day of the Lord will come just as a thief comes in the night.

5:3  When people are saying ‘All is quiet and safe,’ it is then that, like birth pains on a pregnant woman, ruin comes suddenly upon them, and there will be no escape!

5:4  You, however, friends, are not in darkness, that the daylight should take you by surprise as if you were thieves.

5:5  For you all are ‘sons of light’ and ‘sons of the day.’ We have nothing to do with night, or darkness.

5:6  Therefore let us not sleep as others do. No, let us be watchful and self-controlled.

5:7  It is at night that people sleep, and at night that drunkards get drunk.

5:8  But let us, who belong to the day, control ourselves, and put on faith and love as a breast plate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.

5:9  For God destined us, not for wrath, but to win salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us,

5:10  that, whether we are still watching or have fallen asleep, we may live with him.

5:11  Therefore encourage one another, and try to build up one another’s characters, as indeed you are doing.

5:12  We beg you, friends, to value those who toil among you, and are your leaders in the Lord’s service, and give you counsel.

5:13  Hold them in the very greatest esteem and affection for the sake of their work. Live at peace with one another.

5:14  We entreat you also, friends — warn the disorderly, comfort the faint-hearted, give a helping hand to the weak, and be patient with everyone.

5:15  Take care that none of you ever pays back wrong for wrong, but always follow the kindest course with one another and with everyone.

5:16  Always be joyful;

5:17  never cease to pray;

5:18  under all circumstances give thanks to God. For this is his will for you as made known in Christ Jesus.

5:19  Do not quench the Spirit;

5:20  do not make light of preaching.

5:21  Bring everything to the test; cling to what is good;

5:22  shun every form of evil.

5:23  May God himself, the giver of peace, make you altogether holy; and may your spirits, souls, and bodies be kept altogether faultless until the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

5:24  He who calls you will not fail you; he will complete his work.

5:25  Friends, pray for us.

5:26  Greet all the Lord's followers with a sacred kiss.

5:27  I order you in the Lord’s name to have this letter read to all the brethren.

5:28  May the blessing of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.