The Day of the Lord

5 Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates^(A) we do not need to write to you,^{(B) 2} for you know very well that the day of the Lord^(C) will come like a thief in the night.^{(D) 3} While people are saying, “Peace and safety,”^(E) destruction will come on them suddenly,^(F) as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.^(G)

⁴ But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness^(H) so that this day should surprise you like a thief.^{(I) 5} You are all children of the light^(J) and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. ⁶ So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep,^(K) but let us be awake^(L) and sober.^{(M) 7} For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night.^{(N) 8} But since we belong to the day,^(O) let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate,^(P) and the hope of salvation^(Q) as a helmet.^{(R) 9} For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath^(S) but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.^{(T) 10} He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him.^{(U) 11} Therefore encourage one another^(V) and build each other up,^(W) just as in fact you are doing.

¹⁰ But the day of the Lord will come like a thief.^(A) The heavens will disappear with a roar;^(B) the elements will be destroyed by fire,^(C) and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.^[a](D)

¹¹ Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives ¹² as you look forward^(E) to the day of God and speed its coming.^[b](F) That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat.^{(G) 13} But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth,^(H) where righteousness dwells.

¹⁴ So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless^(I) and at peace with him. ¹⁵ Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience^(J) means salvation,^(K) just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him.^{(L) 16} He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable^(M) people distort,^(N) as they do the other Scriptures,^(O) to their own destruction.

¹⁷ Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard^(P) so that you may not be carried away by the error^(Q) of the lawless^(R) and fall from your secure position.^{(S) 18} But grow in the grace^(T) and knowledge^(U) of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.^(V) To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.^(W)