The Day of the Lord
1About the times and the seasons: Brothers and sisters, you do not need anything to be written to you. 2For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night. 3When they say, “Peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 4But you, brothers and sisters, are not in the dark, for this day to surprise you like a thief. 5For you are all children of light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or the darkness. 6So then, let us not sleep, like the rest, but let us stay awake and be self-controlled. 7For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. 8But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled and put on the armor of faith and love, and a helmet of the hope of salvation. 9For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. 11Therefore encourage one another and build each other up as you are already doing.
Exhortations and Blessings
12Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to give recognition to those who labor among you and lead you in the Lord and admonish you, 13and to regard them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. 14And we exhort you, brothers and sisters: warn those who are idle, comfort the discouraged, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15See to it that no one repays evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good for one another and for all. 16Rejoice always, 17pray constantly, 18give thanks in everything; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 19Don’t stifle the Spirit. 20Don’t despise prophecies, 21but test all things. Hold on to what is good. 22Stay away from every kind of evil.
23Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely. And may your whole spirit, soul, and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24He who calls you is faithful; he will do it. 25Brothers and sisters, pray for us also. 26Greet all the brothers and sisters with a holy kiss. 27I charge you by the Lord that this letter be read to all the brothers and sisters. 28The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.