1 Now concerning *Dan. 2:21;Acts 1:7the times and the seasons, brothers,*5:1 Or brothers and sisters; also verses 4, 12, 14, 25, 26, 27*ch. 4:9you have no need to have anything written to you. 2 For you yourselves are fully aware that *[2 Thess. 2:2]; See Matt. 24:43; Luke 17:24the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, "There is peace and security," then *Luke 21:34;[Ps. 35:8;Luke 17:26-30;2 Thess. 1:9] sudden destruction will come upon them *See Isa. 13:8as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 4 But you *1 John 2:8are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. 5 For you are all *See Luke 16:8children*5:5 Or sons; twice in this verse of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. 6 So then *[Mark 13:36]; See Rom. 13:11-13let us not sleep, as others do, but let us *See Matt. 24:42keep awake and *See 1 Pet. 1:13be sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, *[Acts 2:15;2 Pet. 2:13]are drunk at night. 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, *Isa. 59:17;Eph. 6:14,17having put on the breastplate of *[Eph. 6:23]faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. 9 For God has not destined us for *See ch. 1:10wrath, but *2 Thess. 2:13,14;[Heb. 10:39]to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 *Rom. 14:9;[2 Tim. 2:11]who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

12 We ask you, brothers, *1 Cor. 16:18;Phil. 2:29to respect those who labor among you and *1 Cor. 16:16;Heb. 13:17are over you in the Lord and admonish you, 13 and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. *See Mark 9:50Be at peace among yourselves. 14 And we urge you, brothers, admonish *2 Thess. 3:6,7,11the idle,*5:14 Or disorderly, or undisciplined*Isa. 35:4;[Heb. 12:12] encourage the fainthearted, *Acts 20:35;See Rom. 15:1help the weak, *See 1 Cor. 13:4be patient with them all. 15 See that *1 Pet. 3:9;See Rom. 12:17no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always *[Rom. 12:9]; See Gal. 6:10seek to do good to one another and to everyone. 16 *Phil. 4:4Rejoice always, 17 *See Luke 18:1pray without ceasing, 18 *See Eph. 5:20give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19 *[1 Cor. 14:30;Eph. 4:30;1 Tim. 4:14;2 Tim. 1:6]Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise *See 1 Cor. 11:4prophecies, 21 but *1 John 4:1;[Job 34:4]; See Eph. 5:10test everything; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil.

23 Now may *See Rom. 15:33the God of peace himself *Ex. 31:13;John 17:17sanctify you completely, and may your *2 Pet. 3:14;Jude 1whole *Luke 1:46,47;Heb. 4:12;[1 Cor. 14:14] spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at *See ch. 2:19the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 *See 1 Cor. 1:9He who calls you is faithful; *[Phil. 1:6]he will surely do it.

25 *2 Thess. 3:1;Heb. 13:18Brothers, pray for us.

26 *See Rom. 16:16Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss.

27 I put you under oath before the Lord to have *Col. 4:16this letter read to all the brothers.

28 *See Rom. 16:20The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.