1 But concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need that anything be written to you. 2 For you yourselves know well that the day of the Lord comes like a thief in the night. 3 For when they are saying, "Peace and safety," then sudden destruction will come on them, like birth pains on a pregnant woman. Then they will in no way escape. 4 But you, brothers, aren’t in darkness, that the day should overtake you like a thief. 5 You are all children of light and children of the day. We don’t belong to the night, nor to darkness, 6 so then let’s not sleep, as the rest do, but let’s watch and be sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep in the night; and those who are drunk are drunk in the night. 8 But since we belong to the day, let’s be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet, the hope of salvation. 9 For God didn’t appoint us to wrath, but to 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 Therefore exhort one another, and build each other up, even as you also do.

12 But we beg you, brothers, to know those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, 13 and to respect and honor them in love for their work’s sake.

Be at peace among yourselves. 14 We exhort you, brothers: Admonish the disorderly; encourage the faint-hearted; support the weak; be patient toward all. 15 See that no one returns evil for evil to anyone, but always follow after that which is good for one another and for all.

16 Always rejoice. 17 Pray without ceasing. 18 In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus toward you. 19 Don’t quench the Spirit. 20 Don’t despise prophecies. 21 Test all things, and hold firmly that which is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil.

23 May 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.

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

25 Brothers, pray for us.

26 Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss. 27 I solemnly command you by the Lord that this letter be read to all the holy brothers.

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

1 Maar oor die tye en geleenthede, broeders, het julle nie nodig dat aan julle geskryf word nie;

2 want julle weet self baie goed dat die dag van die Here kom net soos 'n dief in die nag.

3 Want wanneer hulle sê: Vrede en veiligheid -- dan oorval 'n skielike verderf hulle soos die barensnood 'n swanger vrou, en hulle sal sekerlik nie ontvlug nie.

4 Maar julle, broeders, is nie in duisternis, dat die dag julle soos 'n dief sou oorval nie.

5 Julle is almal kinders van die lig en kinders van die dag; ons is nie van die nag of die duisternis nie.

6 Laat ons dan nie slaap soos die ander nie, maar laat ons waak en nugter wees.

7 Want die wat slaap, slaap in die nag; en die wat dronk word, is in die nag dronk.

8 Maar laat ons wat van die dag is, nugter wees, met die borswapen van geloof en liefde aan, en as helm die hoop op die saligheid.

9 Want God het ons nie bestem tot toorn nie, maar om die saligheid te verkry deur onse Here Jesus Christus

10 wat vir ons gesterf het, sodat ons, of ons waak en of ons slaap, saam met Hom kan lewe.

11 Daarom, bemoedig mekaar en bou die een die ander op, soos julle ook doen.

12 Maar ons vra julle, broeders, erken die wat onder julle arbei en julle voorgangers in die Here is en julle vermaan;

13 en bewys hulle in liefde die hoogste agting ter wille van hulle werk. Hou vrede onder mekaar.

14 En ons versoek julle, broeders, vermaan die onordelikes, bemoedig die kleinmoediges, ondersteun die swakkes, wees lankmoedig teenoor almal.

15 Sorg dat niemand 'n ander kwaad vir kwaad vergeld nie; maar jaag altyd n wat goed is, teenoor mekaar sowel as teenoor almal.

16 Wees altyddeur bly.

17 Bid sonder ophou.

18 Wees in alles dankbaar, want dit is die wil van God in Christus Jesus oor julle.

19 Blus die Gees nie uit nie.

20 Verag die profesieë nie.

21 Beproef alle dinge; behou die goeie.

22 Onthou julle van elke vorm van kwaad.

23 En mag Hy, die God van die vrede, julle volkome heilig maak, en mag julle gees en siel en liggaam geheel en al onberispelik bewaar word by die wederkoms van onse Here Jesus Christus!

24 Hy wat julle roep, is getrou; Hy sal dit ook doen.

25 Broeders, bid vir ons.

26 Groet die broeders almal met 'n heilige kus.

27 Ek besweer julle by die Here dat hierdie brief aan al die heilige broeders voorgelees word.

28 Die genade van onse Here Jesus Christus sy met julle! Amen.