1 弟兄们, 论到时候和日期, 不用写什么给你们了。

2 因为你们自己清楚知道, 主的日子来到, 就像夜间的贼来到一样。

3 人正在说平安稳妥的时候, 毁灭性的灾祸就突然临到他们, 好像生产的痛苦临到怀胎的妇人一样, 他们绝不能逃脱。

4 但是弟兄们, 你们不在黑暗里, 以致那日子会临到你们像贼来到一样。

5 你们都是光明之子、白昼之子; 我们不是属于黑夜的, 也不是属于黑暗的。

6 所以, 我们不要沉睡像别人一样, 总要警醒谨慎。

7 因为睡觉的人是在晚上睡, 醉酒的人是在晚上醉;

8 但我们既然属于白昼, 就应当谨慎, 披上信和爱的胸甲, 戴上救恩的盼望作头盔。

9 因为 神不是定意要我们受刑罚("刑罚"原文作"忿怒"), 而是要我们借着我们的主耶稣基督得着救恩。

10 基督替我们死, 使我们无论是醒着或睡着, 都和他一同活着。

11 所以, 你们应该彼此劝慰, 互相造就, 正如你们一向所行的。

12 弟兄们, 我们求你们要敬重那些在你们中间劳苦的人, 就是在主里面治理你们、劝戒你们的人。

13 又因为他们的工作, 你们要用爱心格外尊重他们。你们应当彼此和睦。

14 弟兄们, 我们劝你们, 要警戒游手好闲的人, 勉励灰心丧志的人, 扶助软弱无力的人, 也要容忍所有的人。

15 你们要注意, 不管是谁都不要以恶报恶, 却要在彼此相处和对待众人这方面, 常常追求良善。

16 要常常喜乐,

17 不住祷告,

18 凡事谢恩; 这就是 神在基督耶稣里给你们的旨意。

19 不要熄灭圣灵的感动。

20 不要藐视先知的话语。

21 凡事都要察验, 好的要持守,

22 各样的恶事要远离。

23 愿赐平安的 神亲自使你们完全成圣, 又愿你们整个人: 灵、魂和身体都得蒙保守, 在我们的主耶稣基督再来的时候, 无可指摘。

24 那呼召你们的是信实的, 他必成就这事。

25 弟兄们, 请为我们祷告。

26 要用圣洁的亲嘴问候众弟兄。

27 我凭着主吩咐你们, 要把这封信读给众弟兄听。

28 愿我们主耶稣基督的恩惠与你们同在。

1 But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that aught be written unto you. 2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. 3 When they are saying, Peace and safety, then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall in no wise escape. 4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief: 5 for ye are all sons of light, and sons of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness; 6 so then let us not sleep, as do the rest, but let us watch and be sober. 7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that are drunken are drunken in the night. 8 But let us, since we are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for a helmet, the hope of salvation. 9 For God appointed us not unto wrath, but unto the obtaining of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. 11 Wherefore exhort one another, and build each other up, even as also ye do.

12 But we beseech you, brethren, to know them that labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; 13 and to esteem them exceeding highly in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves. 14 And we exhort you, brethren, admonish the disorderly, encourage the fainthearted, support the weak, be longsuffering toward all. 15 See that none render unto any one evil for evil; but always follow after that which is good, one toward another, and toward all. 16 Rejoice always; 17 pray without ceasing; 18 in everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus to you-ward. 19 Quench not the Spirit; 20 despise not prophesyings; 21 prove all things; hold fast that which is good; 22 abstain from every form of evil.

23 And the God of peace himself sanctify you wholly; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved entire, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who will also do it.

25 Brethren, pray for us.

26 Salute all the brethren with a holy kiss. 27 I adjure you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the brethren.

28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.