1 Thessalonians 5

1About the times and the periods, brothers and sisters, you do not need anything written to you.

2For you yourselves know precisely that the day of the Lord comes like a thief at night.

3Just when they are saying, “Peace and security,” sudden ruin overtakes them, like birth pains coming on a pregnant woman, and they will by no means escape.

4But you, brothers and sisters, are not in the dark, so the day will not catch you off guard like a thief.

5For all of you are children of light and of the day. Night and darkness are not where we belong.

6So then, we must not sleep like the rest, but keep watch and stay sober.

7For sleepers sleep at night, and drunkards get drunk at night.

8But we are of the day, so let us stay sober, wearing faith and love for a breastplate and the hope of salvation for a helmet.

9For God did not appoint us for wrath but to gain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,

10who died for us so that, awake or asleep, we may live together with him.

11So keep on encouraging one another and building one another up, as you already do.

12Brothers and sisters, we request that you recognize those who toil among you, who lead you in the Lord and admonish you.

13Value them beyond measure in love, because of the work they do. Keep peace among yourselves.

14We also appeal to you, brothers and sisters: warn the unruly, cheer the fainthearted, support the weak, and be patient toward all.

15Make sure nobody pays back wrong for wrong to anyone. Instead, always pursue what is good, both for each other and for all people.

16Rejoice always.

17Pray constantly.

18Give thanks in everything, for in Christ Jesus this is God’s will for you.

19Do not quench the Spirit.

20Do not despise prophecies,

21but test everything. Hold on to what is good.

22Keep away from every kind of evil.

23May the God of peace himself sanctify you through and through. May your spirit, soul, and body be preserved whole and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

24The one who calls you can be trusted, and he will do it.

25Brothers and sisters, pray for us too.

26Greet all the brothers and sisters with a holy kiss.

27I make you swear by the Lord that this letter will be read to all the brothers and sisters.

28The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.