King James Version KJV
New Living Translation NLT
1 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.
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Now concerning how and when all this will happen, dear brothers and sisters, we don’t really need to write 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 know quite well that the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, 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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When people are saying, “Everything is peaceful and secure,” then disaster will fall on them as suddenly as a pregnant woman’s labor pains begin. And there will be no escape.
4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
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But you aren’t in the dark about these things, dear brothers and sisters, and you won’t be surprised when the day of the Lord comes 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 the light and of the day; we don’t belong to darkness and night.
6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
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So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded.
7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.
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Night is the time when people sleep and drinkers get drunk.
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 let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our 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 chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us.
10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.
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Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever.
11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
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So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already 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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Dear brothers and sisters, honor those who are your leaders in the Lord’s work. They work hard among you and give you spiritual guidance.
13 And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves.
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Show them great respect and wholehearted love because of their work. And live peacefully with each other.
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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Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone.
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 pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people.
16 Rejoice evermore.
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Always be joyful.
17 Pray without ceasing.
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Never stop praying.
18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
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Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
19 Quench not the Spirit.
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Do not stifle the Holy Spirit.
20 Despise not prophesyings.
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Do not scoff at prophecies,
21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
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but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good.
22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.
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Stay away from every kind 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 make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again.
24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.
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God will make this happen, for he who calls you is faithful.
25 Brethren, pray for us.
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Dear brothers and sisters, pray for us.
26 Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss.
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Greet all the brothers and sisters with a sacred kiss.
27 I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren.
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I command you in the name of the Lord to read this letter to all the brothers and sisters.
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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May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
The King James Version is in the public domain.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by
Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.