1 But concerning dates and times, brothers, you do not need us to write to you.
2 For you yourselves thoroughly understand that the day of the Lord shall arrive much like a thief in the night.
3 For when they will say, “Peace and security!” then destruction will suddenly overwhelm them, like the labor pains of a woman with child, and they will not escape.
4 But you, brothers, are not in darkness, so that you would be overtaken by that day as by a thief.
5 For all of you are sons of light and sons of daytime; we are not of nighttime, nor of darkness.
6 Therefore, let us not sleep, as the rest do. Instead, we should be vigilant and sober.
7 For those who sleep, sleep in the night; and those who are inebriated, are inebriated in the night.
8 But we, who are of the daylight, should be sober, being clothed with the breastplate of faith and of charity and having, as a helmet, the hope of salvation.
9 For God has not appointed us for wrath, but for the acquisition of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,
10 who died for us, so that, whether we watch, or whether we sleep, we may live in union with him.
11 Because of this, console one another and build up one another, just as you are doing.
12 And we ask you, brothers, to recognize those who labor among you, and who preside over you in the Lord, and who admonish you,
13 so that you may consider them with an abundance of charity, for the sake of their work. Be at peace with them.
14 And we ask you, brothers: correct the disruptive, console the weak-minded, support the sick, be patient with everyone.
15 See to it that no one repays evil for evil to anyone. Instead, always pursue whatever is good, with one another and with all.
16 Rejoice always.
17 Pray without ceasing.
18 Give thanks in everything. For this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for all of you.
19 Do not choose to extinguish the Spirit.
20 Do not spurn prophecies.
21 But test all things. Hold on to whatever is good.
22 Abstain from every kind of evil.
23 And may the God of peace himself sanctify you through all things, so that your whole spirit and soul and body may be preserved without blame unto the return of our Lord Jesus Christ.
24 He who has called you is faithful. He shall act even now.
25 Brothers, pray for us.
26 Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss.
27 I bind you, through the Lord, that this epistle is to be read to all the holy brothers.
28 May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. |
