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The Sudden Arrival of the Day of the Lord

¹ Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need of anything to be written to you, ² for you yourselves well know that the day of the Lord is coming in the same way as a thief in the night. ³ Whenever they say "Peace and security," then sudden destruction will overtake them like the birth pains of a pregnant woman^[a], and they will not possibly escape. ⁴ But you, brothers, are not in the darkness, so that the day should catch you like a thief, ⁵ for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of the night nor of darkness.

⁶ So then, we must not sleep like the rest, but must be on the alert and be self-controlled. ⁷ For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night. ⁸ But because^[b] we are of the day, we must be sober, by^[c] putting on the breastplate of faith and love and as a helmet the hope of salvation, ⁹ because God did not appoint us for wrath, but for the obtaining of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, ¹⁰ who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live at the same time with him. ¹¹ Therefore encourage one another and build up each other^[d], just as indeed you are doing.

Final Exhortations and Benediction

¹² Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and rule over you in the Lord and admonish you, ¹³ and to esteem them beyond all measure in love, because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.

¹⁴ And we urge you, brothers, admonish the disorderly, console the discouraged, help the sick, be patient toward all people. ¹⁵ See to it that no one pays back evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue good toward^[e] one another and toward all people.

¹⁶ Rejoice always, ¹⁷ pray constantly, ¹⁸ give thanks in everything; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus. ¹⁹ Do not quench the Spirit. ²⁰ Do not despise prophecies, ²¹ but examine all things; hold fast to what is good. ²² Abstain from every form of evil. ²³ Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your spirit and soul and body be kept complete, blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁴ The one who calls you is faithful, who also will do this.

²⁵ Brothers, pray for us.^{[f] 26} Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss. ²⁷ I adjure you by the Lord, have this letter read aloud to all the brothers. ²⁸ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.