| American Standard Version (ASV) | New International Version (NIV) |
| 1 But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that aught be written unto you. | 1 Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, |
| 2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. | 2 for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. |
| 3 When they are saying, Peace and safety, then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall in no wise escape. | 3 While people are saying, "Peace and safety," destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. |
| 4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief: | 4 But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. |
| 5 for ye are all sons of light, and sons of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness; | 5 You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. |
| 6 so then let us not sleep, as do the rest, but let us watch and be sober. | 6 So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled. |
| 7 For they that sleep sleep in the night: and they that are drunken are drunken in the night. | 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. |
| 8 But let us, since we are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for a helmet, the hope of salvation. | 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. |
| 9 For God appointed us not into wrath, but unto the obtaining of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, | 9 For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. |
| 10 who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. | 10 He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. |
| 11 Wherefore exhort one another, and build each other up, even as also ye do. | 11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. |
| 12 But we beseech you, brethren, to know them that labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; | 12 Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. |
| 13 and to esteem them exceeding highly in love for their work's sake. Be at peace among yourselves. | 13 Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. |
| 14 And we exhort you, brethren, admonish the disorderly, encourage the fainthearted, support the weak, be longsuffering toward all. | 14 And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. |
| 15 See that none render unto any one evil for evil; but always follow after that which is good, one toward another, and toward all. | 15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else. |
| 16 Rejoice always; | 16 Be joyful always; |
| 17 pray without ceasing; | 17 pray continually; |
| 18 in everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus to you-ward. | 18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. |
| 19 Quench not the Spirit; | 19 Do not put out the Spirit's fire; |
| 20 despise not prophesyings; | 20 do not treat prophecies with contempt. |
| 21 prove all things; hold fast that which is good; | 21 Test everything. Hold on to the good. |
| 22 abstain from every form of evil. | 22 Avoid every kind of evil. |
| 23 And the God of peace himself sanctify you wholly; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved entire, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. | 23 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. |
| 24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who will also do it. | 24 The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it. |
| 25 Brethren, pray for us. | 25 Brothers, pray for us. |
| 26 Salute all the brethren with a holy kiss. | 26 Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss. |
| 27 I adjure you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the brethren. | 27 I charge you before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers. |
| 28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. | 28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. |
| The American Standard Version is in the public domain. (The American Standard Version Bible Online) | Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide. (New International Version Bible Online) |