1 Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need
2 for
3 Whenever they say “Peace and security,” then sudden destruction will overtake them like the birth pains of
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
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
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
15 See to it that no one pays back evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue good, both toward one another and toward all
16 Rejoice always,
17 pray constantly,
18 give thanks in everything; for this
19 Do not quench the Spirit.
20 Do not despise prophecies,
21 but examine all
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
25 Brothers, pray for us also.
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