1
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But concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need that anything be written to you. |
2
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For you yourselves know well that the day of the Lord comes like a thief in the night. |
3
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For when they are saying, 'Peace and safety,' then sudden destruction will come on them, like birth pains on a pregnant woman; and they will in no way escape. |
4
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But you, brothers, aren't in darkness, that the day should overtake you like a thief. |
5
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You are all sons of light, and sons of the day. We don't belong to the night, nor to darkness, |
6
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so then let's not sleep, as the rest do, but let us watch and be sober. |
7
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For those who sleep, sleep in the night, and those who are drunken are drunken in the night. |
8
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But let us, since we belong to the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and, for a helmet, the hope of salvation. |
9
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For God didn't appoint us to wrath, but to the obtaining of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, |
10
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who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. |
11
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Therefore exhort one another, and build each other up, even as you also do. |
12
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But we beg you, brothers, to know those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you, |
13
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and to respect and honor them in love for their work's sake. Be at peace among yourselves. |
14
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We exhort you, brothers, admonish the disorderly, encourage the fainthearted, support the weak, be patient toward all. |
15
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See that no one returns evil for evil to anyone, but always follow after that which is good, towards one another, and towards all. |
16
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Rejoice always. |
17
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Pray without ceasing. |
18
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In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus toward you. |
19
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Don't quench the Spirit. |
20
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Don't despise prophesies. |
21
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Test all things, and hold firmly that which is good. |
22
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Abstain from every form of evil. |
23
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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
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Faithful is he who calls you, who will also do it. |
25
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Brothers, pray for us. |
26
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Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss. |
27
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I solemnly charge you by the Lord that this letter be read to all the holy brothers. |
28
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The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. |