1 Tessalonicenses 5

The Day of the Lord

1 But concerning *Matt. 24:3the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. 2 For you yourselves know perfectly that *Luke 21:34; 1 Thess. 5:4; (2 Pet. 3:10); Rev. 3:3; 16:15the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. 3 For when they say, "Peace and safety!" then *Is. 13:6–9sudden destruction comes upon them, *Hos. 13:13as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. 4 *(Acts 26:18); Rom. 13:12; Eph. 5:8; 1 John 2:8But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. 5 You are all *Eph. 5:8sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. 6 *Matt. 25:5Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but *Matt. 25:13; Mark 13:35; (1 Pet. 5:8)let us watch and be sober. 7 For *(Luke 21:34)those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk *Acts 2:15; 2 Pet. 2:13are drunk at night. 8 But let us who are of the day be sober, *Is. 59:17; Eph. 6:14putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. 9 For *Rom. 9:22God did not appoint us to wrath, *(2 Thess. 2:13)but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 *2 Cor. 5:15who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.

11 Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.

Various Exhortations

12 And we urge you, brethren, *1 Cor. 16:18; 1 Tim. 5:17; Heb. 13:7, 17to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, 13 and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. *Mark 9:50Be at peace among yourselves.

14 Now we exhort you, brethren, *2 Thess. 3:6, 7, 11warn those who are unruly, *Heb. 12:12comfort the fainthearted, *Rom. 14:1; 15:1; 1 Cor. 8:7uphold the weak, *Gal. 5:22be patient with all. 15 *Lev. 19:18See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always *Rom. 12:9; Gal. 6:10; 1 Thess. 5:21pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.

16 *(2 Cor. 6:10)Rejoice always, 17 *Eph. 6:18pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

19 *Eph. 4:30Do not quench the Spirit. 20 *Acts 13:1; 1 Cor. 14:1, 31Do not despise prophecies. 21 *1 Cor. 14:29; 1 John 4:1Test all things; *Phil. 4:8hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil.

Blessing and Admonition

23 Now may *Phil. 4:9the God of peace Himself *1 Thess. 3:13sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body *1 Cor. 1:8, 9be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you is*(1 Cor. 10:13); 2 Thess. 3:3faithful, who also will *Phil. 1:6do it.

25 Brethren, pray for us.

26 Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss.

27 I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read to all the holy brethren.

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