Read the New Testament in 24 Weeks
4 Lemaskana (finally), Achim b’Moshiach, we ask and exhort you in Adoneinu Yehoshua, in order that, just as from us (Moshiach’s Shlichim) you received (as authoritative halachic tradition, as the Messianic teaching to be followed) how it is necessary for you to be fier zich (comport oneself) in your derech (way of life) and to please Hashem (just as you in fact are doing), so you should abound more and more.
2 For you have da’as what mitzvot (commandments) we gave you through [Moshiach] Adoneinu Yehoshua.
3 For this is the ratzon Hashem (the will of G-d), your kedushah (holiness), your consecration, that you abstain from zenut (fornication),
4 That each one of you [as Kadoshim] have da’as of how to control your own k’li (vessel) in kedushah and kavod,
5 Not in the passion of ta’avah (evil desire, lust) like Goyim who do not have da’as of Hashem;
6 That no man commit peysha and take advantage of one of his Achim b’Moshiach in this [sexual] matter, because Hashem is the Nokem (Avenger) concerning all these things, just as also we told you before and warned you.
7 For [as far as our bechirah (election) is concerned], Hashem did not summon us for tu’ma (uncleanness) but in kedushah (holiness).
8 Therefore, the one rejecting this mitzvah (commandment) does not reject Bnei Adam but Hashem who gives to you His Ruach Hakodesh.
9 Concerning the matter of ahavah shel achvah (brotherly love), you have no need that we write you, for you yourselves are limudei Elohim (taught of G-d) to have ahavah (agape) one for another.
10 For indeed this you do toward all the Achim b’Moshiach in all of Macedonia. But in this we exhort you, Chaverim, to abound more and more.
11 And have as your ambition to lead a quiet life of shalom bayis, and to mind your own business, and to have a parnasah, working with your own hands, according to the mitzvot (commandments) we gave you.
12 The tachlis (purpose) is that the way you fier zich (comport oneself) in your derech (way of life) be conducted properly toward outsiders and that you might not be nitzrach (needy).
13 We do not want you to lack da’as, Chaverim, concerning those who have "fallen asleep." The purpose is that you not have agmat nefesh (grief) like the rest, who do not have tikvah (hope).
14 For, if we have an Ani Ma’amin belief that Yehoshua had his histalkus and then stood up alive again in the Techiyas HaMoshiach from HaMesim, even so, Hashem will bring with him [Moshiach] those who have fallen asleep through Yehoshua.
15 For this we say to you by the Dvar Hashem, that we who are alive and have been left behind until the Bi’as (Coming, Parousia of) Moshiach Adoneinu, may in no way be kodem (preceding) those who have fallen asleep.
16 For Adoneinu Himself, at the signal, at the bat kol of the Sar HaMalachim (the Archangel), and at the shofar blast of Hashem, shall come down from Shomayim, and the Mesim in Moshiach shall stand up alive in the Techiyas HaMesim first.
17 Then [next in sequence], we who are alive and who have been left behind simultaneously with them shall be snatched up in the ananim (clouds) to meet Adoneinu in the air. And so always with Adoneinu we shall be.
18 Therefore, give chozek (strength) and speak divrei chizzuk (words of encouragement), comforting one another with these words.
5 But concerning the ittim (times) and the zmanim (seasons), Chaverim, you have no need for you to have anything in writing.
2 For you yourselves know very well that the Yom Hashem comes like a ganav balailah (thief in the night).
3 Whenever they say, "Shalom and Bitachon!" then sudden churban (destruction) will come upon them like the chevlei leydah (birth pangs) of the isha with a baby in her womb. And they can certainly not escape.
4 But you, Achim b’Moshiach, are not in choshech that the Yom should overtake you like a ganav.
5 For all of you are Bnei Ohr and Bnei Yom; we are not of the Lailah nor of the Choshech.
6 Therefore, let us not "sleep" as the rest, but let us keep awake with zililut da’as (sober-mindedness).
7 For the ones sleeping sleep balailah, and the ones indulging in shichrut (drunkenness) indulge in shichrut balailah.
8 But we, being Bnei Yom, let us be bnei zililut da’as (sons of sober-mindedness), having clothed ourselves with the choshen (breastplate) of emunah and ahavah (agape) and as a KOVAH (helmet, YESHAYAH 59:17) the tikvah of Yeshu’at Eloheynu.
9 Because Hashem did not appoint us to charon af (the burning wrath) but to the attainment of Yeshu’at Eloheinu through Adoneinu, Moshiach Yehoshua.
10 He is the one who made his histalkus and died on our behalf in order that whether we are [living] and awake or [passed away] and sleeping, we may live together with Moshiach.
11 Therefore, give chozek (strength) and encouragement, building up one another, as indeed you are doing.
12 Now we ask you, Achim b’Moshiach, to have discerning binah (understanding) and discern the ones laboring among you who are your Mashgichim Ruchaniyim (Spiritual Overseers) in Adoneinu. I’m referring to the ones who admonish and warn you.
13 And esteem them most exceedingly in ahavah (agape), because of their avodas kodesh work. Let there be shalom bayis (family peace) also in the kehillah.
14 And we exhort you, Achim b’Moshiach, warn the batlanim (unemployed or lazy loafers, idlers), comfort the congregant who is pachdan (fainthearted), those who are weak take an interest in, have zitzfleisch (patience) with all.
15 See that no one returns ra’ah for ra’ah, but always pursue haTov both for one another and for all.
16 Have simcha always.
17 Daven unceasingly.
18 In everything offer hodayah, for this is the ratzon Hashem in Moshiach Yehoshua for you.
19 Do not quench the Ruach Hakodesh.
20 Do not reject nevu’ot (prophecies).
21 But test kol davar (everything); hold fast to haTov.
22 Abstain from every appearance of ra’ah (evil).
23 And now Elohei HaShalom wholly set you apart as Kadoshim and may your whole ruach and nefesh and basar be preserved without blame at the Bi’as HaMoshiach Adoneinu Yehoshua.
24 Ne’eman (Faithful) is the One who summons you to your kri’ah (calling). He will do it.
25 Achim b’Moshiach, offer tefillos also concerning us.
26 Say Drishat Shalom to all the Achim b’Moshiach with a neshikat kedoshah.
27 By Adoneinu, I solemnly give you the directive that this iggeret hakodesh has to be read to all the Achim b’Moshiach.
28 The Chen v’Chesed of Adoneinu, Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach Yehoshua, be with you.
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