Hebrew Names Version HNV
The Message Bible MSG
1 But concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need that anything be written to you.
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I don't think, friends, that I need to deal with the question of when all this is going to happen.
2 For you yourselves know well that the day of the Lord comes like a thief in the night.
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You know as well as I that the day of the Master's coming can't be posted on our calendars. He won't call ahead and make an appointment any more than a burglar would.
3 For when they are saying, "Shalom and safety," then sudden destruction will come on them, like birth pains on a pregnant woman; and they will in no way escape.
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About the time everybody's walking around complacently, congratulating each other - "We've sure got it made! Now we can take it easy!" - suddenly everything will fall apart. It's going to come as suddenly and inescapably as birth pangs to a pregnant woman.
4 But you, brothers, aren't in darkness, that the day should overtake you like a thief.
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But friends, you're not in the dark, so how could you be taken off guard by any of this?
5 You are all sons of light, and sons of the day. We don't belong to the night, nor to darkness,
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You're sons of Light, daughters of Day. We live under wide open skies and know where we stand.
6 so then let's not sleep, as the rest do, but let us watch and be sober.
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So let's not sleepwalk through life like those others. Let's keep our eyes open and be smart.
7 For those who sleep, sleep in the night, and those who are drunken are drunken in the night.
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People sleep at night and get drunk at night.
8 But let us, since we belong to the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and, for a helmet, the hope of salvation.
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But not us! Since we're creatures of Day, let's act like it. Walk out into the daylight sober, dressed up in faith, love, and the hope of salvation.
9 For God didn't appoint us to wrath, but to the obtaining of salvation through our Lord Yeshua the Messiah,
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God didn't set us up for an angry rejection but for salvation by our Master, Jesus Christ.
10 who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.
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He died for us, a death that triggered life. Whether we're awake with the living or asleep with the dead, we're alive with him!
11 Therefore exhort one another, and build each other up, even as you also do.
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So speak encouraging words to one another. Build up hope so you'll all be together in this, no one left out, no one left behind. I know you're already doing this; just keep on doing it.
12 But we beg you, brothers, to know those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you,
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And now, friends, we ask you to honor those leaders who work so hard for you, who have been given the responsibility of urging and guiding you along in your obedience.
13 and to respect and honor them in love for their work's sake. Be at shalom among yourselves.
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Overwhelm them with appreciation and love!
14 We exhort you, brothers, admonish the disorderly, encourage the fainthearted, support the weak, be patient toward all.
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Our counsel is that you warn the freeloaders to get a move on. Gently encourage the stragglers, and reach out for the exhausted, pulling them to their feet. Be patient with each person, attentive to individual needs.
15 See that no one returns evil for evil to anyone, but always follow after that which is good, towards one another, and towards all.
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And be careful that when you get on each other's nerves you don't snap at each other. Look for the best in each other, and always do your best to bring it out.
16 Rejoice always.
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Be cheerful no matter what;
17 Pray without ceasing.
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pray all the time;
18 In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Messiah Yeshua toward you.
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thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live.
19 Don't quench the Spirit.
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Don't suppress the Spirit,
20 Don't despise prophesies.
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and don't stifle those who have a word from the Master.
21 Test all things, and hold firmly that which is good.
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On the other hand, don't be gullible. Check out everything, and keep only what's good.
22 Abstain from every form of evil.
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Throw out anything tainted with evil.
23 May the God of shalom himself sanctify you completely. May your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah.
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May God himself, the God who makes everything holy and whole, make you holy and whole, put you together - spirit, soul, and body - and keep you fit for the coming of our Master, Jesus Christ.
24 Faithful is he who calls you, who will also do it.
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The One who called you is completely dependable. If he said it, he'll do it!
25 Brothers, pray for us.
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Friends, keep up your prayers for us.
26 Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss.
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Greet all the Christians there with a holy embrace.
27 I solemnly charge you by the Lord that this letter be read to all the holy brothers.
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And make sure this letter gets read to all the brothers and sisters. Don't leave anyone out.
28 The grace of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah be with you. Amein.
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The amazing grace of Jesus Christ be with you!
The Hebrew Names Version is in the public domain.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.