1But concerning the times and seasons, brethren, you have no need that anything be written to you. 2You know well that the day of the Lord comes like a thief in the night. 3For when people say, “Peace and safety,” then a sudden destruction will come upon them, like birth pains on a pregnant woman, and they will by no means escape. 4As for you, brethren, you are not in darkness to allow the day to overtake you like a thief. 5You are all children of light, and children of the day. We do not belong to the night, or to the darkness. 6Therefore, let us not sleep as others do, but let us watch and be clear minded.2027 7Those who sleep, sleep in the night, and those who are drunk are drunk in the night. 8But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation. 9God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ 10who died for us, so that whether we wake or sleep,2028 we should live together with him. 11Therefore, encourage one another and build each other up, which is what you [already] do.
Life in the Church
12Now we beg you, brethren, to recognize2029 those who work hard among you, who are set over you in the Lord and who admonish you. 13Respect and honor them in love because of their work.
Be at peace among yourselves. 14We exhort you, brethren, admonish the disorderly, encourage the fainthearted,2030 support the weak, be patient toward all. 15See that no one returns evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good, both for one another and for all.
16Rejoice always! 17Pray without ceasing. 18Give thanks in everything because this is God’s will in Christ Jesus for you. 19Do not quench the Spirit. 20Do not despise prophecies, 21but test all things, and hold firmly to what is good. 22Abstain from every form of evil.
23May the God of peace himself sanctify you completely. May your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
24He who calls you is faithful and he will carry this out. 25Brethren, pray for us. 26Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss. 27I solemnly instruct you by the Lord that this letter should be read to all the holy brethren.
28The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you! Amen.
- Or “sober,” as in verse 8
- The biblical expression for being (physically) dead
- Or “know/respect/be considerate to”
- Or “those who lack courage”
Text: The Eastern / Greek Orthodox Bible, New Testament (EOB). Used with permission.
