| 1 | But about the times and their order, my brothers, there is no need for me to say anything to you. |
| 2 | For you yourselves have the knowledge that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. |
| 3 | When they say, There is peace and no danger, then sudden destruction will come on them, as birth-pains on a woman with child; and they will not be able to get away from it. |
| 4 | But you, my brothers, are not in the dark, for that day to overtake you like a thief: |
| 5 | For you are all sons of light and of the day: we are not of the night or of the dark. |
| 6 | So then, let us not take our rest as the others do, but let us be self-controlled and awake. |
| 7 | For those who are sleeping do so in the night; and those who are the worse for drink are so in the night; |
| 8 | But let us, who are of the day, be serious, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and on our heads, the hope of salvation. |
| 9 | For God's purpose for us is not wrath, but salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, |
| 10 | Who was put to death for us, so that, awake or sleeping, we may have a part in his life. |
| 11 | So then, go on comforting and building up one another, as you have been doing. |
| 12 | But we make this request to you, my brothers: give attention to those who are working among you, who are over you in the Lord to keep order among you; |
| 13 | And have a high opinion of them in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. |
| 14 | And our desire is that you will keep control over those whose lives are not well ordered, giving comfort to the feeble-hearted, supporting those with little strength, and putting up with much from all. |
| 15 | Let no one give evil for evil; but ever go after what is good, for one another and for all. |
| 16 | Have joy at all times. |
| 17 | Keep on with your prayers. |
| 18 | In everything give praise: for this is the purpose of God in Christ Jesus for you. |
| 19 | Do not put out the light of the Spirit; |
| 20 | Do not make little of the words of the prophets; |
| 21 | Let all things be tested; keep to what is good; |
| 22 | Keep from every form of evil. |
| 23 | And may the God of peace himself make you holy in every way; and may your spirit and soul and body be free from all sin at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. |
| 24 | God, by whom you have been marked out in his purpose, is unchanging and will make it complete. |
| 25 | Brothers, keep us in mind in your prayers. |
| 26 | Give all the brothers a holy kiss. |
| 27 | I give orders in the name of the Lord that all the brothers are to be present at the reading of this letter. |
| 28 | The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. |