The Day of the Lord

5 Now concerning ^(A)the times and the seasons, brothers,^{[a] (B)}you have no need to have anything written to you. ² For you yourselves are fully aware that ^(C)the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. ³ While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then ^(D)sudden destruction will come upon them ^(E)as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. ⁴ But you ^(F)are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. ⁵ For you are all ^(G)children^[b] of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. ⁶ So then ^(H)let us not sleep, as others do, but let us ^(I)keep awake and ^(J)be sober. ⁷ For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, ^(K)are drunk at night. ⁸ But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, ^(L)having put on the breastplate of ^(M)faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. ⁹ For God has not destined us for ^(N)wrath, but ^(O)to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, ^10 (P)who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. ¹¹ Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

Final Instructions and Benediction

¹² We ask you, brothers, ^(Q)to respect those who labor among you and ^(R)are over you in the Lord and admonish you, ¹³ and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. ^(S)Be at peace among yourselves. ¹⁴ And we urge you, brothers, admonish ^(T)the idle,^{[c] (U)}encourage the fainthearted, ^(V)help the weak, ^(W)be patient with them all. ¹⁵ See that ^(X)no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always ^(Y)seek to do good to one another and to everyone. ^16 (Z)Rejoice always, ^17 (AA)pray without ceasing, ^18 (AB)give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. ^19 (AC)Do not quench the Spirit. ²⁰ Do not despise ^(AD)prophecies, ²¹ but ^(AE)test everything; hold fast what is good. ²² Abstain from every form of evil.

²³ Now may ^(AF)the God of peace himself ^(AG)sanctify you completely, and may your ^(AH)whole ^(AI)spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at ^(AJ)the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. ^24 (AK)He who calls you is faithful; ^(AL)he will surely do it.

^25 (AM)Brothers, pray for us.

^26 (AN)Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss.

²⁷ I put you under oath before the Lord to have ^(AO)this letter read to all the brothers.

^28 (AP)The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.