Common English Bible CEB
Revised Standard Version RSV
1 We don't need to write to you about the timing and dates, brothers and sisters.
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But as to the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need to have anything written to you.
2 You know very well that the day of the Lord is going to come like a thief in the night.
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For you yourselves know well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.
3 When they are saying, "There is peace and security," at that time sudden destruction will attack them, like labor pains start with a pregnant woman, and they definitely won't escape.
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When people say, "There is peace and security," then sudden destruction will come upon them as travail comes upon a woman with child, and there will be no escape.
4 But you aren't in darkness, brothers and sisters, so the day won't catch you by surprise like a thief.
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But you are not in darkness, brethren, for that day to surprise you like a thief.
5 All of you are children of light and children of the day. We don't belong to night or darkness.
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For you are all sons of light and sons of the day; we are not of the night or of darkness.
6 So then, let's not sleep like the others, but let's stay awake and stay sober.
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So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober.
7 People who sleep sleep at night, and people who get drunk get drunk at night.
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For those who sleep sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night.
8 Since we belong to the day, let's stay sober, wearing faithfulness and love as a piece of armor that protects our body and the hope of salvation as a helmet.
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But, since we belong to the day, let us be sober, and put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.
9 God didn't intend for us to suffer his wrath but rather to possess salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.
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For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,
10 Jesus died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with him.
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who died for us so that whether we wake or sleep we might live with him.
11 So continue encouraging each other and building each other up, just like you are doing already.
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Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.
12 Brothers and sisters, we ask you to respect those who are working with you, leading you, and instructing you.
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But we beseech you, brethren, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you,
13 Think of them highly with love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.
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and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.
14 Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are disorderly. Comfort the discouraged. Help the weak. Be patient with everyone.
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And we exhort you, brethren, admonish the idlers, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.
15 Make sure no one repays a wrong with a wrong, but always pursue the good for each other and everyone else.
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See that none of you repays evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to all.
16 Rejoice always.
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Rejoice always,
17 Pray continually.
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pray constantly,
18 Give thanks in every situation because this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
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give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
19 Don't suppress the Spirit.
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Do not quench the Spirit,
20 Don't brush off Spirit-inspired messages,
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do not despise prophesying,
21 but examine everything carefully and hang on to what is good.
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but test everything; hold fast what is good,
22 Avoid every kind of evil.
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abstain from every form of evil.
23 Now, may the God of peace himself cause you to be completely dedicated to him; and may your spirit, soul, and body be kept intact and blameless at our Lord Jesus Christ's coming.
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May the God of peace himself sanctify you wholly; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
24 The one who is calling you is faithful and will do this.
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He who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.
25 Brothers and sisters, pray for us.
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Brethren, pray for us.
26 Greet all the brothers and sisters with a holy kiss.
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Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss.
27 By the Lord's authority, I order all of you to have this letter read aloud to all the brothers and sisters.
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I adjure you by the Lord that this letter be read to all the brethren.
28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with all of you.
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The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
Copyright © 2011 Common English Bible
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.