1 Thessalonians 5

Holman Christian Standard Bible

The Day of the Lord

5 About the times and the seasons:^(A) Brothers, you do not need anything to be written to you. ²For you yourselves know very well that the Day of the Lord^(B) will come just like a thief^(C) in the night. ³When they say, “Peace and security,” then sudden destruction^(D) comes on them, like labor pains come on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. ⁴But you, brothers, are not in the dark, for this day to overtake you like a thief.^(E) ⁵For you are all sons of light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or the darkness.^(F) ⁶So then, we must not sleep, like the rest, but we must stay awake and be serious. ⁷For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. ⁸But since we belong to the day, we must be serious^(G) and put the armor^(H) of faith and love on our chests, and put on a helmet^(I) of the hope of salvation. ⁹For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord^(J) Jesus Christ,^(K) ¹⁰who died for us,^(L) so that whether we are awake or asleep,^(M) we will live together with Him.^(N) ¹¹Therefore encourage one another and build each other up as you are already doing.

Exhortations and Blessings

¹²Now we ask you, brothers, to give recognition^(O) to those who labor among you and lead you in the Lord and admonish you, ¹³and to regard them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace^(P) among yourselves. ¹⁴And we exhort you, brothers:^(Q) warn those who are irresponsible,^[a] comfort the discouraged, help the weak, be patient^(R) with everyone. ¹⁵See to it that no one repays evil for evil^(S) to anyone,^(T) but always pursue what is good for one another and for all.^(U)

¹⁶Rejoice^(V) always!
¹⁷Pray constantly.
¹⁸Give thanks in everything,
for this is God’s will^(W) for you in Christ Jesus.
¹⁹Don’t stifle the Spirit.
²⁰Don’t despise prophecies,
²¹but test all things.^(X)
Hold on to what is good.
²²Stay away^(Y) from every kind of evil.

²³Now may the God of peace^(Z) Himself sanctify you completely. And may your spirit,^(AA) soul, and body be kept sound and blameless for the coming^(AB) of our Lord^(AC) Jesus Christ.^(AD) ²⁴He who calls^(AE) you^(AF) is faithful, who also will do it. ²⁵Brothers, pray for us also. ²⁶Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss. ²⁷I charge you by the Lord that this letter be read to all the brothers.^(AG) ²⁸The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.