The Day of the Lord

5 Now as to the ^(A)periods and ^[a]times, brothers and sisters, you ^(B)have no need of anything to be written to you. ² For you yourselves know full well that ^(C)the day of the Lord is coming ^(D)just like a thief in the night. ³ While they are saying, “^(E)Peace and safety!” then ^(F)sudden destruction ^[b]will come upon them like ^(G)labor pains upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. ⁴ But you, brothers and sisters, are not in ^(H)darkness, so that the day would overtake you ^[c](I)like a thief; ⁵ for you are all ^(J)sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of ^(K)darkness; ⁶ so then, let’s not ^(L)sleep as ^[d](M)others do, but let’s be alert and ^[e](N)sober. ⁷ For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who are drunk, ^(O)get drunk at night. ⁸ But since ^(P)we are of the day, let’s ^(Q)be ^[f]sober, having put on the ^(R)breastplate of ^(S)faith and love, and as a ^(T)helmet, the ^(U)hope of salvation. ⁹ For God has not destined us for ^(V)wrath, but for ^(W)obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, ^10 (X)who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him. ¹¹ Therefore, ^[g]encourage one another and ^(Y)build one another up, just as you also are doing.

Christian Conduct

¹² But we ask you, brothers and sisters, to ^(Z)recognize those ^(AA)who diligently labor among you and ^[h](AB)are in leadership over you in the Lord, and give you ^[i]instruction, ¹³ and that you regard them very highly in love because of their work. ^(AC)Live in peace with one another. ¹⁴ We urge you, brothers and sisters, admonish ^(AD)the ^[j]unruly, encourage ^(AE)the fainthearted, help ^(AF)the weak, be ^(AG)patient with everyone. ¹⁵ See that ^(AH)no one repays another with evil for evil, but always ^(AI)seek what is good for one another and for all people. ^16 (AJ)Rejoice always, ^17 (AK)pray without ceasing, ¹⁸ in everything ^(AL)give thanks; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus. ^19 (AM)Do not quench the Spirit, ²⁰ do not utterly reject ^[k](AN)prophecies, ²¹ but ^(AO)examine everything; ^(AP)hold firmly to that which is good, ²² abstain from every ^[l]form of evil.

²³ Now ^(AQ)may the God of peace ^(AR)Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your ^(AS)spirit and soul and body be kept complete, ^(AT)without blame at ^(AU)the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. ^24 (AV)Faithful is He who ^(AW)calls you, and He also will do it.

²⁵ Brothers and sisters, ^(AX)pray for us^[m].

^26 (AY)Greet all the brothers and sisters with a holy kiss. ²⁷ I put you under oath by the Lord to ^(AZ)have this letter read to all the ^(BA)brothers and sisters.

^28 (BB)May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.