5:1
About times and dates, brothers, there is no need to write to you
5:2
for you are well aware in any case that the Day of the Lord is going to come like a thief in the night.
5:3
It is when people are saying, 'How quiet and peaceful it is' that sudden destruction falls on them, as suddenly as labour pains come on a pregnant woman; and there is no escape.
5:4
But you, brothers, do not live in the dark, that the Day should take you unawares like a thief.
5:5
No, you are all children of light and children of the day: we do not belong to the night or to darkness,
5:6
so we should not go on sleeping, as everyone else does, but stay wide awake and sober.
5:7
Night is the time for sleepers to sleep and night the time for drunkards to be drunk,
5:8
but we belong to the day and we should be sober; let us put on faith and love for a breastplate, and the hope of salvation for a helmet.
5:9
God destined us not for his retribution, but to win salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,
5:10
who died for us so that, awake or asleep, we should still live united to him.
5:11
So give encouragement to each other, and keep strengthening one another, as you do already.
5:12
We appeal to you, my brothers, to be considerate to those who work so hard among you as your leaders in the Lord and those who admonish you.
5:13
Have the greatest respect and affection for them because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.
5:14
We urge you, brothers, to admonish those who are undisciplined, encourage the apprehensive, support the weak and be patient with everyone.
5:15
Make sure that people do not try to repay evil for evil; always aim at what is best for each other and for everyone.
5:16
Always be joyful;
5:17
pray constantly;
5:18
and for all things give thanks; this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.
5:19
Do not stifle the Spirit
5:20
or despise the gift of prophecy with contempt;
5:21
test everything and hold on to what is good
5:22
and shun every form of evil.
5:23
May the God of peace make you perfect and holy; and may your spirit, life and body be kept blameless for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
5:24
He who has called you is trustworthy and will carry it out.
5:25
Pray for us, my brothers.
5:26
Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss.
5:27
My orders, in the Lord's name, are that this letter is to be read to all the brothers.
5:28
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
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