Study Desk

Finally then, brothers, we ask and encourage you in the Lord Jesus, that as you have received from us how you must walk and please God—as you are doing^[a]—do so even more.

For you know what commands we gave you through the Lord Jesus.

For this is God's will,^(a) your sanctification:^(b) that you abstain^(c) from sexual immorality,

so that each of you knows how to control his own body^[b] in sanctification and honor,

not with lustful desires,^(d) like the Gentiles who don't know God.

This means one must not transgress against and defraud^(e) his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger of all these offenses,^[c] as we also previously told and warned you.

For God has not called us to impurity^(f) but to sanctification.

Therefore, the person who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who also gives you His Holy Spirit.^(g)

About brotherly love: You don't need me to write you because you yourselves are taught by God^(h) to love one another.⁽ⁱ⁾

In fact, you are doing this toward all the brothers in the entire region of Macedonia.^(j) But we encourage you, brothers, to do so even more,

to seek to lead a quiet life,^(k) to mind your own business,^[d] and to work^(l) with your own hands, as we commanded you,

so that you may walk properly^[e](m) in the presence of outsiders^[f] and not be dependent on anyone.^[g](n)

We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, concerning those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve like the rest, who have no hope.^(o)

Since we believe that Jesus died and rose^(p) again,^(q) in the same way God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep through^[h] Jesus.^(r)

For we say this to you by a revelation from the Lord:^[i](s) We who are still alive at the Lord's coming^(t) will certainly have no advantage over^[j] those who have fallen asleep.^(u)

For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout,^[k](v) with the archangel's^(w) voice, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ^(x) will rise first.

Then^(y) we who are still alive will be caught up together with them in the clouds^(z) to meet the Lord in the air and so we will always be with the Lord.

Therefore encourage^[l] one another with these words.

About the times and the seasons:^(a) Brothers, you do not need anything to be written to you.

For you yourselves know very well that the Day of the Lord^(b) will come just like a thief^(c) in the night.

When they say, "Peace and security," then sudden destruction^(d) comes on them, like labor pains come on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

But you, brothers, are not in the dark, for this day to overtake you like a thief.^(e)

For you are all sons of light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or the darkness.^(f)

So then, we must not sleep, like the rest, but we must stay awake and be serious.

For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night.

But since we belong to the day, we must be serious^(g) and put the armor^(h) of faith and love on our chests, and put on a helmet⁽ⁱ⁾ of the hope of salvation.

For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord^(j) Jesus Christ,^(k)

who died for us,^(l) so that whether we are awake or asleep,^(m) we will live together with Him.⁽ⁿ⁾

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up as you are already doing.

Now we ask you, brothers, to give recognition^(o) to those who labor among you and lead you in the Lord and admonish you,

and to regard them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace^(p) among yourselves.

And we exhort you, brothers:^(q) warn those who are irresponsible,^[a] comfort the discouraged, help the weak, be patient^(r) with everyone.

See to it that no one repays evil for evil^(s) to anyone,^(t) but always pursue what is good for one another and for all.^(u)

Rejoice^(v) always!

Pray constantly.

Give thanks in everything, for this is God's will^(w) for you in Christ Jesus.

Don't stifle the Spirit.

Don't despise prophecies,

but test all things.^(x) Hold on to what is good.

Stay away^(y) from every kind of evil.

Now may the God of peace^(z) Himself sanctify you completely. And may your spirit,^(aa) soul, and body be kept sound and blameless for the coming^(ab) of our Lord^(ac) Jesus Christ.^(ad)

He who calls^(ae) you^(af) is faithful, who also will do it.

Brothers, pray for us also.

Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss.

I charge you by the Lord that this letter be read to all the brothers.^(ag)

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.