Darby Bible Translation

New Living Translation

The Day of the Lord

But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that ye should be written to,

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Now concerning how and when all this will happen, dear brothers and sisters,a we don’t really need to write you.

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for ye know perfectly well yourselves, that the day of [the] Lord so comes as a thief by night.

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For you know quite well that the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night.

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When they may say, Peace and safety, then sudden destruction comes upon them, as travail upon her that is with child; and they shall in no wise escape.

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When people are saying, “Everything is peaceful and secure,” then disaster will fall on them as suddenly as a pregnant woman’s labor pains begin. And there will be no escape.

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But *ye*, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day should overtake you as a thief:

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But you aren’t in the dark about these things, dear brothers and sisters, and you won’t be surprised when the day of the Lord comes like a thief.b

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for all *ye* are sons of light and sons of day; we are not of night nor of darkness.

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For you are all children of the light and of the day; we don’t belong to darkness and night.

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So then do not let us sleep as the rest do, but let us watch and be sober;

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So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded.

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for they that sleep sleep by night, and they that drink drink by night;

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Night is the time when people sleep and drinkers get drunk.

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but *we* being of [the] day, let us be sober, putting on [the] breastplate of faith and love, and as helmet [the] hope of salvation;

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But let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation.

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because God has not set us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,

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For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us.

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who has died for us, that whether we may be watching or sleep, we may live together with him.

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Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever.

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Wherefore encourage one another, and build up each one the other, even as also ye do.

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So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.

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Christian Living

But we beg you, brethren, to know those who labour among you, and take the lead among you in [the] Lord, and admonish you,

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Paul’s Final Advice

Dear brothers and sisters, honor those who are your leaders in the Lord’s work. They work hard among you and give you spiritual guidance.

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and to regard them exceedingly in love on account of their work. Be in peace among yourselves.

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Show them great respect and wholehearted love because of their work. And live peacefully with each other.

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But we exhort you, brethren, admonish the disorderly, comfort the faint-hearted, sustain the weak, be patient towards all.

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Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone.

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See that no one render to any evil for evil, but pursue always what is good towards one another and towards all;

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See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people.

rejoice always;

Always be joyful.

pray unceasingly;

Never stop praying.

in everything give thanks, for this is [the] will of God in Christ Jesus towards you;

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Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

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quench not the Spirit;

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Do not stifle the Holy Spirit.

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do not lightly esteem prophecies;

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Do not scoff at prophecies,

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but prove all things, hold fast the right;

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but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good.

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hold aloof from every form of wickedness.

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Stay away from every kind of evil.

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Final Blessings

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

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Paul’s Final Greetings

Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again.

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He [is] faithful who calls you, who will also perform [it].

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God will make this happen, for he who calls you is faithful.

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Brethren, pray for us.

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Dear brothers and sisters, pray for us.

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Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss.

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Greet all the brothers and sisters with a sacred kiss.