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.
