1 Now as to the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need to have anything written to you.

2 For you yourselves know well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.

3 While people are saying, »Peace and safety,« then destruction will come upon them suddenly as labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape.

4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief.

5 For you are all sons of light and sons of the day; we are not of the night or of darkness.

6 So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us be alert and sober.

7 For those who sleep, sleep at night; and those who get drunk, get drunk at night.

8 But, since we belong to the day, let us be sober, and put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation.

9 For God has not destined us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,

10 who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with him.

11 Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.

12 But we ask you, brethren, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you,

13 and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another.

14 And we urge you, brethren, admonish the idlers, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone.

15 See that none of you repays evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to all.

16 Rejoice always,

17 pray without ceasing,

18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

19 Do not quench the Spirit;

20 do not despise prophecies.

21 But test everything; hold fast to what is good.

22 Abstain from every form of evil.

23 Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely; and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

24 He who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.

25 Brethren, pray for us.

26 Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss.

27 I charge you by the Lord to have this letter read to all the brethren.

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