1 Thessalonians 5

New International Version

The Day of the Lord

5 Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates^(A) we do not need to write to you,^(B) ²for you know very well that the day of the Lord^(C) will come like a thief in the night.^(D) ³While 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)

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

Final Instructions

¹²Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard^(X) among you, who care for you in the Lord^(Y) and who admonish you. ¹³Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.^(Z) ¹⁴And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle^(AA) and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak,^(AB) be patient with everyone. ¹⁵Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong,^(AC) but always strive to do what is good for each other^(AD) and for everyone else.

¹⁶Rejoice always,^(AE) ¹⁷pray continually,^(AF) ¹⁸give thanks in all circumstances;^(AG) for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

¹⁹Do not quench the Spirit.^(AH) ²⁰Do not treat prophecies^(AI) with contempt ²¹but test them all;^(AJ) hold on to what is good,^(AK) ²²reject every kind of evil.

²³May God himself, the God of peace,^(AL) sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul^(AM) and body be kept blameless^(AN) at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.^(AO) ²⁴The one who calls^(AP) you is faithful,^(AQ) and he will do it.^(AR)

²⁵Brothers and sisters, pray for us.^(AS) ²⁶Greet all God’s people with a holy kiss.^(AT) ²⁷I charge you before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers and sisters.^(AU)

²⁸The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.^(AV)

Psalm 17

New International Version

Psalm 17

A prayer of David.

¹Hear me,^(A) Lord, my plea is just;
    listen to my cry.^(B)
Hear^(C) my prayer—
    it does not rise from deceitful lips.^(D)
²Let my vindication^(E) come from you;
    may your eyes see what is right.^(F)

³Though you probe my heart,^(G)
    though you examine me at night and test me,^(H)
you will find that I have planned no evil;^(I)
    my mouth has not transgressed.^(J)
⁴Though people tried to bribe me,
    I have kept myself from the ways of the violent
    through what your lips have commanded.
⁵My steps have held to your paths;^(K)
    my feet have not stumbled.^(L)

⁶I call on you, my God, for you will answer me;^(M)
    turn your ear to me^(N) and hear my prayer.^(O)
⁷Show me the wonders of your great love,^(P)
    you who save by your right hand^(Q)
    those who take refuge^(R) in you from their foes.
⁸Keep me^(S) as the apple of your eye;^(T)
    hide me^(U) in the shadow of your wings^(V)
⁹from the wicked who are out to destroy me,
    from my mortal enemies who surround me.^(W)

¹⁰They close up their callous hearts,^(X)
    and their mouths speak with arrogance.^(Y)
¹¹They have tracked me down, they now surround me,^(Z)
    with eyes alert, to throw me to the ground.
¹²They are like a lion^(AA) hungry for prey,^(AB)
    like a fierce lion crouching in cover.

¹³Rise up,^(AC) Lord, confront them, bring them down;^(AD)
    with your sword rescue me from the wicked.
¹⁴By your hand save me from such people, Lord,
    from those of this world^(AE) whose reward is in this life.^(AF)
May what you have stored up for the wicked fill their bellies;
    may their children gorge themselves on it,
    and may there be leftovers^(AG) for their little ones.