New Living Translation

New International Version

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

Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you,

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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 you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the 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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While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not 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 you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like 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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You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the 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, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober.

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

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For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at 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 since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.

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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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For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive 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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He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, 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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Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

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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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Final Instructions

Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who 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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Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.

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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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And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone.

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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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Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.

Always be joyful.

Rejoice always,

Never stop praying.

pray continually,

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

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

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Do not stifle the Holy Spirit.

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Do not quench the Spirit.

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Do not scoff at prophecies,

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Do not treat prophecies with contempt

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

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but test them all; hold on to what is good,

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Stay away from every kind of evil.

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reject every kind of evil.

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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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May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept 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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The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.

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Dear brothers and sisters, pray for us.

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Brothers and sisters, pray for us.

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Greet all the brothers and sisters with a sacred kiss.

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Greet all God’s people with a holy kiss.