1 Thessalonians 5
5
Be Ready for the Day of the Lord
1Brothers and sisters, you don’t need anyone to write to you about times and dates. 2You know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3When people say, “Everything is safe and sound!” destruction will suddenly strike them. It will be as sudden as labor pains come to a pregnant woman. They won’t be able to escape. 4But, brothers and sisters, you don’t live in the dark. That day won’t take you by surprise as a thief would. 5You belong to the day and the light not to the night and the dark. 6Therefore, we must not fall asleep like other people, but we must stay awake and be sober. 7People who sleep, sleep at night; people who get drunk, get drunk at night. 8Since we belong to the day, we must be sober. We must put on faith and love as a breastplate and the hope of salvation as a helmet. 9It was not God’s intention that we experience his anger but that we obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 10He died for us so that, whether we are awake in this life or asleep in death, we will live together with him. 11Therefore, encourage each other and strengthen one another as you are doing.
Paul Encourages the Thessalonians
12Brothers and sisters, we ask you to show your appreciation for those leaders who work among you and instruct you. 13We ask you to love them and think very highly of them because of the work they are doing. Live in peace with each other.
14We encourage you, brothers and sisters, to instruct those who are not living right, cheer up those who are discouraged, help the weak, and be patient with everyone. 15Make sure that no one ever pays back one wrong with another wrong. Instead, always try to do what is good for each other and everyone else.
16Always be joyful. 17Never stop praying. 18Whatever happens, give thanks, because it is God’s will in Christ Jesus that you do this.
19Don’t put out the Spirit’s fire. 20Don’t despise what God has revealed. 21Instead, test everything. Hold on to what is good. 22Keep away from every kind of evil.
Farewell
23May the God who gives peace make you holy in every way. May he keep your whole being—spirit, soul, and body—blameless when our Lord Jesus Christ comes. 24The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this.
25Brothers and sisters, pray for us.
26Greet all the brothers and sisters with a holy kiss.
27In the Lord’s name, I order you to read this letter to all the brothers and sisters.
28The good will #5:28 Or “grace.” of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
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GOD'S WORD® Translation ©1995, 2003, 2013, 2014, 2019, 2020 by God's Word to the Nations Mission Society. All rights reserved.
1 Thessalonians 5
5
The Day of the Lord
1Now as to the #5:1 The Greek word here for times refers to the length of time (indicating how long one must wait for something), while the word for dates refers to the particular time that a significant event will happen.times and dates, #5:1 Lit brethren.brothers and sisters, you have no need for anything to be written to you. 2For you yourselves know perfectly well that the day of the [return of the] Lord is coming just as a thief [comes unexpectedly and suddenly] in the night. 3While they are saying, “Peace and safety [all is well and secure!]” then [in a moment unforeseen] destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains on a woman with child, and they will absolutely not escape [for there will be no way to escape the judgment of the Lord]. 4But you, #5:4 Lit brethren.believers, [all you who believe in Christ as Savior and acknowledge Him as God’s Son] are not in spiritual darkness [nor held by its power], that the day [of judgment] would overtake you [by surprise] like a thief; 5for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We do not belong to the night nor to darkness. 6So then let us not sleep [in spiritual indifference] as the rest [of the world does], but let us keep wide awake [alert and cautious] and let us be sober [self-controlled, calm, and wise]. 7For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who are drunk get drunk at night. 8But since we [believers] belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope and confident assurance of salvation. 9For God has not destined us to [incur His] wrath [that is, He did not select us to condemn us], but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10who died [willingly] for us, so that whether we are awake (alive) or asleep (dead) [at Christ’s appearing], we will live together with Him [sharing eternal life]. 11Therefore encourage and comfort one another and build up one another, just as you are doing.
Christian Conduct
12Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to appreciate those who diligently work among you [recognize, acknowledge, and respect your leaders], who are in charge over you in the Lord and who give you instruction, 13and [we ask that you appreciate them and] hold them in the highest esteem in love because of their work [on your behalf]. Live in peace with one another. 14We [earnestly] urge you, believers, admonish those who are out of line [the undisciplined, the unruly, the disorderly], encourage the timid [who lack spiritual courage], help the [spiritually] weak, be very patient with everyone [always controlling your temper]. [Is 35:4] 15See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek that which is good for one another and for all people. 16Rejoice always and delight in your faith; 17be unceasing and persistent in prayer; 18in every situation [no matter what the circumstances] be thankful and continually give thanks to God; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus. 19Do not quench [subdue, or be unresponsive to the working and guidance of] the [Holy] Spirit. 20Do not scorn or reject gifts of prophecy or prophecies [spoken revelations—words of instruction or exhortation or warning]. 21But test #5:21 Or everyone, that is, anyone claiming to be a prophet.all things carefully [so you can recognize what is good]. Hold firmly to that which is good. 22Abstain from every form of evil [withdraw and keep away from it].
23Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you through and through [that is, separate you from profane and vulgar things, make you pure and whole and undamaged—consecrated to Him—set apart for His purpose]; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept complete and [be found] blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24Faithful and absolutely trustworthy is He who is calling you [to Himself for your salvation], and He will do it [He will fulfill His call by making you holy, guarding you, watching over you, and protecting you as His own].
25Brothers and sisters, pray for us.
26Greet all the believers with a holy #5:26 Greeting other believers with a kiss on the cheek would be the equivalent of today’s handshake, pat on the back, or casual hug.kiss [as brothers and sisters in God’s family]. 27I solemnly charge you by the Lord to have this letter read before all the #5:27 Lit brethren.congregation.
28The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
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