King James Version KJV
English Standard Version ESV
1 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.
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Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers,you have no need to have anything written to you.
2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
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For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.
3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
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While people are saying, "There is peace and security," then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon 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.
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But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief.
5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
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For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness.
6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
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So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober.
7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.
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For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night.
8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
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But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.
9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by 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 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.
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who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him.
11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
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Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.
12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;
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We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you,
13 And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves.
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and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.
14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.
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And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle,encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.
15 See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.
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See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone.
16 Rejoice evermore.
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Rejoice always,
17 Pray without ceasing.
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pray without ceasing,
18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
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give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
19 Quench not the Spirit.
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Do not quench the Spirit.
20 Despise not prophesyings.
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Do not despise prophecies,
21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
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but test everything; hold fast what is good.
22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.
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Abstain from every form of evil.
23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
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Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.
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He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.
25 Brethren, pray for us.
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Brothers, pray for us.
26 Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss.
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Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss.
27 I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren.
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I put you under oath before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers.
28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. [The first epistle to the Thessalonians was written from Athens.]
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The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
The King James Version is in the public domain.
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.