New Revised Standard NRS
The Bible in Basic English BBE
1 Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers and sisters, you do not need to have anything written to you.
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But about the times and their order, my brothers, there is no need for me to say anything to you.
2 For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.
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For you yourselves have the knowledge that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.
3 When they say, "There is peace and security," then sudden destruction will come upon them, as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and there will be no escape!
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When they say, There is peace and no danger, then sudden destruction will come on them, as birth-pains on a woman with child; and they will not be able to get away from it.
4 But you, beloved, are not in darkness, for that day to surprise you like a thief;
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But you, my brothers, are not in the dark, for that day to overtake you like a thief:
5 for you are all children of light and children of the day; we are not of the night or of darkness.
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For you are all sons of light and of the day: we are not of the night or of the dark.
6 So then let us not fall asleep as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober;
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So then, let us not take our rest as the others do, but let us be self-controlled and awake.
7 for those who sleep sleep at night, and those who are drunk get drunk at night.
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For those who are sleeping do so in the night; and those who are the worse for drink are so in the night;
8 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.
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But let us, who are of the day, be serious, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and on our heads, the hope of salvation.
9 For God has destined us not for wrath but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,
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For God's purpose for us is not wrath, but salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,
10 who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep we may live with him.
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Who was put to death for us, so that, awake or sleeping, we may have a part in his life.
11 Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing.
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So then, go on comforting and building up one another, as you have been doing.
12 But we appeal to you, brothers and sisters, to respect those who labor among you, and have charge of you in the Lord and admonish you;
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But we make this request to you, my brothers: give attention to those who are working among you, who are over you in the Lord to keep order among you;
13 esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.
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And have a high opinion of them in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.
14 And we urge you, beloved, to admonish the idlers, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with all of them.
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And our desire is that you will keep control over those whose lives are not well ordered, giving comfort to the feeble-hearted, supporting those with little strength, and putting up with much from all.
15 See that none of you repays evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to all.
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Let no one give evil for evil; but ever go after what is good, for one another and for all.
16 Rejoice always,
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Have joy at all times.
17 pray without ceasing,
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Keep on with your prayers.
18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
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In everything give praise: for this is the purpose of God in Christ Jesus for you.
19 Do not quench the Spirit.
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Do not put out the light of the Spirit;
20 Do not despise the words of prophets,
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Do not make little of the words of the prophets;
21 but test everything; hold fast to what is good;
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Let all things be tested; keep to what is good;
22 abstain from every form of evil.
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Keep from every form of evil.
23 May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
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And may the God of peace himself make you holy in every way; and may your spirit and soul and body be free from all sin at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
24 The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this.
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God, by whom you have been marked out in his purpose, is unchanging and will make it complete.
25 Beloved, pray for us.
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Brothers, keep us in mind in your prayers.
26 Greet all the brothers and sisters with a holy kiss.
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Give all the brothers a holy kiss.
27 I solemnly command you by the Lord that this letter be read to all of them.
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I give orders in the name of the Lord that all the brothers are to be present at the reading of this letter.
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.
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, 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.
The Bible in Basic English is in the public domain.