1 Bvt of the times and seasons, brethren, yee haue no neede that I write vnto you. 2 For ye your selues knowe perfectly, that the day of the Lord shall come, euen as a thiefe in the night. 3 For when they shall say, Peace, and safetie, then shall come vpon them sudden destruction, as the trauaile vpon a woman with childe, and they shall not escape, 4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkenes, that that day shall come on you, as it were a thiefe. 5 Yee are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, neither of darkenesse. 6 Therefore let vs not sleepe as do other, but let vs watch and be sober. 7 For they that sleepe, sleepe in the night, and they that be drunken, are drunken in the night. 8 But let vs which are of the day, be sober, putting on the brest plate of faith and loue, and of the hope of saluation for an helmet. 9 For God hath not appointed vs vnto wrath, but to obtaine saluation by the meanes of our Lord Iesus Christ, 10 Which died for vs, that whether we wake or sleepe, we should liue together with him. 11 Wherefore exhort one another, and edifie one another, euen as ye doe. 12 Nowe we beseeche you, brethren, that ye acknowledge them, which labour among you, and are ouer you in the Lord, and admonish you, 13 That yee haue them in singular loue for their workes sake. Bee at peace among your selues. 14 We desire you, brethren, admonish them that are out of order: comfort ye feeble minded: beare with the weake: be pacient toward all men. 15 See that none recompense euil for euil vnto any man: but euer follow that which is good, both toward your selues, and toward all men. 16 Reioyce euermore. 17 Pray continually. 18 In all thinges giue thankes: for this is the will of God in Christ Iesus toward you. 19 Quench not the Spirit. 20 Despise not prophecying. 21 Try all things, and keepe that which is good. 22 Absteine from all appearance of euill. 23 Nowe the very God of peace sanctifie you throughout: and I pray God that your whole spirite and soule and body, may be kept blamelesse vnto the comming of our Lord Iesus Christ. 24 Faithfull is hee which calleth you, which will also doe it. 25 Brethren, pray for vs. 26 Greete all the brethren with an holy kisse. 27 I charge you in the Lord, that this Epistle be read vnto all the brethren the Saintes. 28 The grace of our Lord Iesus Christ be with you, Amen. ‘The first Epistle vnto the Thessalonians written from Athens.’
1 I don't need to write you about the time or date when all this will happen. 2 You surely know that the Lord's return will be as a thief coming at night. 3 People will think they are safe and secure. But destruction will suddenly strike them like the pains of a woman about to give birth. And they won't escape.
4 My dear friends, you don't live in darkness, and so that day won't surprise you like a thief. 5 You belong to the light and live in the day. We don't live in the night or belong to the dark. 6 Others may sleep, but we should stay awake and be alert. 7 People sleep during the night, and some even get drunk. 8 But we belong to the day. So we must stay sober and let our faith and love be like a suit of armor. Our firm hope that we will be saved is our helmet.
9 God doesn't intend to punish us, but wants us to be saved by our Lord Jesus Christ. 10 Christ died for us, so we could live with him, whether we are alive or dead when he comes. 11 This is why you must encourage and help each other, just as you are already doing.
Final Instructions and Greetings
12 My friends, we ask you to be thoughtful of your leaders who work hard and tell you how to live for the Lord. 13 Show them great respect and love because of their work. Try to get along with each other. 14 My friends, we beg you to warn anyone who isn't living right. Encourage anyone who feels left out, help all who are weak, and be patient with everyone. 15 Don't be hateful to people, just because they are hateful to you. Rather, be good to each other and to everyone else.
16 Always be joyful 17 and never stop praying. 18 Whatever happens, keep thanking God because of Jesus Christ. This is what God wants you to do.
19 Don't turn away God's Spirit 20 or ignore prophecies. 21 Put everything to the test. Accept what is good 22 and don't have anything to do with evil.
23 I pray that God, who gives peace, will make you completely holy. And may your spirit, soul, and body be kept healthy and faultless until our Lord Jesus Christ returns. 24 The one who chose you can be trusted, and he will do this.
25 Friends, please pray for us.
26 Give the Lord's followers a warm greeting.
27 In the name of the Lord I beg you to read this letter to all his followers.
28 I pray that our Lord Jesus Christ will be kind to you!