New Living Translation

Darby Bible Translation

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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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;

Always be joyful.

rejoice always;

Never stop praying.

pray unceasingly;

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

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

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Do not stifle the Holy Spirit.

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quench not the Spirit;

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Do not scoff at prophecies,

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do not lightly esteem prophecies;

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

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but prove all things, hold fast the right;

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Stay away from every kind of evil.

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hold aloof from every form of wickedness.

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

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

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Dear brothers and sisters, pray for us.

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Brethren, pray for us.

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Greet all the brothers and sisters with a sacred kiss.

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Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss.