Read the Bible

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^[a] 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 that we could live with him, whether we are alive or dead when he comes. ¹¹ That's 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!