1 Thessalonians 5:1-28 (New International Version)

1 Now, brothers, about times and dates¹ we do not need to write to you,² 2 for you know very well that the day of the Lord³ will come like a thief in the night.⁴ 3 While people are saying, "Peace and safety,"⁵ destruction will come on them suddenly,⁶ as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.⁷ 4 But you, brothers, are not in darkness⁸ so that this day should surprise you like a thief.⁹ 5 You are all sons of the light¹⁰ and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. 6 So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep,¹¹ but let us be alert¹² and self-controlled.¹³ 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night.¹⁴ 8 But since we belong to the day,¹⁵ let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate,¹⁶ and the hope of salvation¹⁷ as a helmet.¹⁸ 9 For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath¹⁹ but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.²⁰ 10 He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him.²¹ 11 Therefore encourage one another²² and build each other up,²³ just as in fact you are doing.

Final Instructions

12 Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard²⁴ among you, who are over you in the Lord²⁵ and who admonish you. 13 Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.²⁶ 14 And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle,²⁷ encourage the timid, help the weak,²⁸ be patient with everyone. 15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong,²⁹ but always try to be kind to each other³⁰ and to everyone else. 16 Be joyful always;³¹ 17 pray continually;³² 18 give thanks in all circumstances,³³ for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 19 Do not put out the Spirit's fire;³⁴ 20 do not treat prophecies³⁵ with contempt. 21 Test everything.³⁶ Hold on to the good.³⁷ 22 Avoid every kind of evil. 23 May God himself, the God of peace,³⁸ sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul³⁹ and body be kept blameless⁴⁰ at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.⁴¹ 24 The one who calls⁴² you is faithful⁴³ and he will do it.⁴⁴ 25 Brothers, pray for us.⁴⁵ 26 Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss.⁴⁶ 27 I charge you before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers.⁴⁷ 28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.⁴⁸