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¹ But about the times and their order, my brothers, there is no need for me to say anything to you.² For you yourselves have the knowledge that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.³ When they say, There is peace and no danger, then sudden destruction will come on them, as birth-pains on a woman with child; and they will not be able to get away from it.⁴ But you, my brothers, are not in the dark, for that day to overtake you like a thief:⁵ For you are all sons of light and of the day: we are not of the night or of the dark.

⁶ So then, let us not take our rest as the others do, but let us be self-controlled and awake.⁷ For those who are sleeping do so in the night; and those who are the worse for drink are so in the night;⁸ But let us, who are of the day, be serious, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and on our heads, the hope of salvation.⁹ For God's purpose for us is not wrath, but salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,¹⁰ Who was put to death for us, so that, awake or sleeping, we may have a part in his life.

¹¹ So then, go on comforting and building up one another, as you have been doing.¹² But we make this request to you, my brothers: give attention to those who are working among you, who are over you in the Lord to keep order among you;¹³ And have a high opinion of them in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.¹⁴ And our desire is that you will keep control over those whose lives are not well ordered, giving comfort to the feeble-hearted, supporting those with little strength, and putting up with much from all.¹⁵ Let no one give evil for evil; but ever go after what is good, for one another and for all.

¹⁶ Have joy at all times.¹⁷ Keep on with your prayers.¹⁸ In everything give praise: for this is the purpose of God in Christ Jesus for you.¹⁹ Do not put out the light of the Spirit;²⁰ Do not make little of the words of the prophets;²¹ Let all things be tested; keep to what is good;²² Keep from every form of evil.

²³ And may the God of peace himself make you holy in every way; and may your spirit and soul and body be free from all sin at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.²⁴ God, by whom you have been marked out in his purpose, is unchanging and will make it complete.²⁵ Brothers, keep us in mind in your prayers.²⁶ Give all the brothers a holy kiss.²⁷ I give orders in the name of the Lord that all the brothers are to be present at the reading of this letter.²⁸ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.