New American Standard Bible

New Living Translation

The Day of the Lord

Now as to the times and the epochs, brethren, you have no need of anything to be written to you.

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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 you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the 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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While they are saying, “Peace and safety!” then destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not 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 you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you like 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 you are all 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 let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and 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 those who sleep do their sleeping at night, and those who get drunk get drunk at night.

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

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But since we are of the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a 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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For God has not destined 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 died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will 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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Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.

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

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Christian Conduct

But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction,

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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 that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another.

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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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We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone.

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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 repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people.

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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.

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Rejoice always;

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Always be joyful.

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pray without ceasing;

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Never stop praying.

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in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

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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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Do not quench the Spirit;

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Do not stifle the Holy Spirit.

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do not despise prophetic utterances.

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Do not scoff at prophecies,

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But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good;

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

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abstain from every form of evil.

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Stay away from every kind of evil.

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Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame 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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Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.

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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.