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The Day of the Lord

¹ Now as to the ^(C1)times and the epochs, brethren, you ^(C2)have no need of anything to be written to you.² For you yourselves know full well that ^(C1)the day of the Lord ^(F1)will come ^(C2)just like a thief in the night.³ While they are saying, "^(C1)Peace and safety!" then ^(F1)(C2)destruction ^(F2)will come upon them suddenly like ^(C3)labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape.⁴ But you, brethren, are not in ^(C1)darkness, that the day would overtake you ^(F1)(C2)like a thief;⁵ for you are all ^(C1)sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of ^(C2)darkness;⁶ so then let us not ^(C1)sleep as ^(F1)(C2)others do, but let us be alert and ^(F2)(C3)sober.⁷ For those who sleep do their sleeping at night, and those who get drunk get ^(C1)drunk at night.⁸ But since ^(C1)we are of the day, let us ^(C2)be ^(F1)sober, having put on the ^(C3)breastplate of ^(C4)faith and love, and as a ^(C5)helmet, the ^(C6)hope of salvation.⁹ For God has not destined us for ^(C1)wrath, but for ^(C2)obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,^10 (C1)who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him.¹¹ Therefore ^(F1)encourage one another and ^(C1)build up one another, just as you also are doing.

Christian Conduct

¹² But we request of you, brethren, that you ^(F1)(C1)appreciate those ^(C2)who diligently labor among you, and ^(C3)have charge over you in the Lord and give you ^(F2)instruction,¹³ and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. ^(C1)Live in peace with one another.¹⁴ We urge you, brethren, admonish ^(C1)the ^(F1)unruly, encourage ^(C2)the fainthearted, help ^(C3)the weak, be ^(C4)patient with everyone.¹⁵ See that ^(C1)no one repays another with evil for evil, but always ^(C2)seek after that which is good for one another and for all people.^16 (C1)Rejoice always;^17 (C1)pray without ceasing;¹⁸ in everything ^(C1)give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.^19 (C1)Do not quench the Spirit;²⁰ do not despise ^(C1)prophetic ^(F1)utterances.²¹ But ^(C1)examine everything carefully; ^(C2)hold fast to that which is good;²² abstain from every ^(F1)form of evil.

²³ Now ^(C1)may the God of peace ^(C2)Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your ^(C3)spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, ^(C4)without blame at ^(C5)the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.^24 (C1)Faithful is He who ^(C2)calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.

²⁵ Brethren, ^(C1)pray for us^(F1).

^26 (C1)Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss.²⁷ I adjure you by the Lord to ^(C1)have this letter read to all the ^(C2)brethren.

^28 (C1)The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.