New International Version NIV
New Century Version NCV
1 Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you,
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Now, brothers and sisters, we do not need to write you about times and dates.
2 for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.
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You know very well that the day the Lord comes again will be a surprise, like a thief that comes in the night.
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.
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While people are saying, "We have peace and we are safe," they will be destroyed quickly. It is like pains that come quickly to a woman having a baby. Those people will not escape.
4 But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief.
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But you, brothers and sisters, are not living in darkness, and so that day will not surprise you like a thief.
5 You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness.
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You are all people who belong to the light and to the day. We do not belong to the night or to darkness.
6 So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober.
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So we should not be like other people who are sleeping, but we should be alert and have self-control.
7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night.
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Those who sleep, sleep at night. Those who get drunk, get drunk at night.
8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.
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But we belong to the day, so we should control ourselves. We should wear faith and love to protect us, and the hope of salvation should be our helmet.
9 For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.
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God did not choose us to suffer his anger but to have salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.
10 He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him.
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Jesus died for us so that we can live together with him, whether we are alive or dead when he comes.
11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
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So encourage each other and give each other strength, just as you are doing now.
12 Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you.
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Now, brothers and sisters, we ask you to appreciate those who work hard among you, who lead you in the Lord and teach you.
13 Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.
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Respect them with a very special love because of the work they do. Live in peace with each other.
14 And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone.
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We ask you, brothers and sisters, to warn those who do not work. Encourage the people who are afraid. Help those who are weak. Be patient with everyone.
15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.
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Be sure that no one pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to do what is good for each other and for all people.
16 Rejoice always,
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Always be joyful.
17 pray continually,
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Pray continually,
18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
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and give thanks whatever happens. That is what God wants for you in Christ Jesus.
19 Do not quench the Spirit.
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Do not hold back the work of the Holy Spirit.
20 Do not treat prophecies with contempt
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Do not treat prophecy as if it were unimportant.
21 but test them all; hold on to what is good,
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But test everything. Keep what is good,
22 reject every kind of evil.
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and stay away from everything that is evil.
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.
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Now may God himself, the God of peace, make you pure, belonging only to him. May your whole self -- spirit, soul, and body -- be kept safe and without fault when our Lord Jesus Christ comes.
24 The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.
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You can trust the One who calls you to do that for you.
25 Brothers and sisters, pray for us.
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Brothers and sisters, pray for us.
26 Greet all God’s people with a holy kiss.
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Give each other a holy kiss when you meet.
27 I charge you before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers and sisters.
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I tell you by the authority of the Lord to read this letter to all the believers.
28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
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The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture taken from the New Century Version. Copyright © 1987, 1988, 1991 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.