1 Thessalonians 5
5
The Eschatological Day of the Lord
1 Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need for anything to be written to you. 2 For you yourselves know accurately that the day of the Lord is coming like a thief in the night. 3 When they say “Peace and security,” then unexpected devastation will come upon them like labour pains upon a pregnant woman,* and they will certainly not escape. 4 But you, brothers, are not in darkness, so that the day should overtake you like a thief, 5 for all of you are sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of darkness. 6 So then, let us not sleep as the rest do,* but let us be watchful and be sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who become intoxicated, are intoxicated at night. 8 But because we are of the day, let us be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation. 9 For God has not appointed us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we might live together with Him. 11 Therefore, exhort one another and build up one another, just as you are also doing.
Various Exhortations
12 Now we ask you, brothers, to recognise those who labour among you, and who lead you in the Lord, and who admonish you, 13 and to regard them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. 14 And we exhort you, brothers, admonish the disorderly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient towards all people. 15 See to it that no one repays evil with evil to anyone, but always pursue that which is good for one another and for all people. 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing,* 18 give thanks in everything; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophecies, 21 but test all things; hold fast to that which is good. 22 Deliberately refrain from every form of evil.
Pauline Prayer and Request for Prayer
23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely, and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Faithful is the One who calls you, who also will do it.
25 Brothers, pray for us.
Greeting, Admonition and Benediction
26 Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss.
27 I put you under oath* by the Lord to have this letter read to all the* brothers.
28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.*
Notes
3 Greek like the labour pains upon the one who has a womb
6 The base verb do is contextually supplied for clarity
17 Or continually/constantly
27 Or I solemnly charge you
27 Some ancient manuscripts insert the word holy at this point
28 Some ancient manuscripts insert Amen at the end of the letter
Currently Selected:
1 Thessalonians 5: AFINTLIT
Highlight
Copy
Compare
Share
Want to have your highlights saved across all your devices? Sign up or sign in
Copyright © 2026 Michael Adeyemi Adegbola. This Scripture text is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License (CC BY-SA 4.0).
