1 2 3 4 5
5 <1> Now, brothers and sisters, we don't need to write to you about times and dates. <2> You know very well that the day when the Lord comes again will be a surprise, like a thief who comes at night. <3> People will say, "We have peace and we are safe." At that time destruction will come to them quickly, like the pains of a woman who is having a baby. And those people will not escape.
<4> But you, brothers and sisters, are not living in darkness.[26] And so that day will not surprise you like a thief. <5> You are all people who belong to the light.[27] You belong to the day.[28] We don't belong to the night[29] or to darkness. <6> So we should not be like other people. We should not be sleeping. We should be awake and have self-control. <7> People who sleep, sleep at night. People who drink too much, drink at night. <8> But we belong to the day, so we should control ourselves. We should wear faith and love to protect us. And the hope of salvation should be our helmet.
<9> God did not choose us to suffer his anger. God chose us to have salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. <10> Jesus died for us so that we can live together with him. It is not important if we are alive or dead when Jesus comes. <11> So encourage each other and help each other grow stronger in faith, just as you are already doing.
<12> Now brothers and sisters, we ask you to recognize the value of those who work hard among you-those who, as followers of the Lord, care for you and tell you how to live. <13> Show them the highest respect and love because of the work they do.
Live in peace with each other. <14> We ask you, brothers and sisters, to warn those who will not work. Encourage those who are afraid. Help those who are weak. Be patient with everyone. <15> Be sure that no one pays back wrong for wrong. But always try to do what is good for each other and for all people.
<16> Always be full of joy. <17> Never stop praying. <18> Whatever happens, always be thankful. This is how God wants you to live in Christ Jesus.
<19> Don't stop the work of the Holy Spirit.[30] <20> Don't treat prophecy[31] like something that is not important. <21> But test everything. Keep what is good, <22> and stay away from everything that is evil.
<23> We pray that God himself, the God of peace, will make you pure-belonging only to him. We pray that your whole self-spirit, soul, and body-will be kept safe and be blameless when our Lord Jesus Christ comes. <24> The one who calls you will do that for you. You can trust him.
<25> Brothers and sisters, please pray for us. <26> Give all the brothers and sisters the special greeting of God's people.[32] <27> I tell you by the authority of the Lord to read this letter to all the brothers and sisters. <28> The grace[33] of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
© Copyright 2004 World Bible Translation Center.