Chapter 5

¹But as to times and dates, brothers, you do not need to have anyone write to you, ²for you yourselves know perfectly well that the Day of the Lord is to come like a thief in the night. ³When people say, “What peace and security!” then suddenly destruction will be upon them, like birth-pains upon a woman about to give birth to a child, and there will be no escape. ⁴But you are not in darkness, brothers, so that that Day should surprise you like thieves. ⁵You all belong to the light and the day. We have nothing to do with night or with darkness. ⁶So we must not sleep like other men, but we must be vigilant and composed. ⁷For those who sleep sleep at night and those who get drunk do so at night, ⁸but we who belong to the day must be composed, wearing faith and love for a coat of mail, and helmeted with the hope of salvation. ⁹For God has not destined us for his wrath, but to gain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, ¹⁰who died for us so that whether we are still alive or fall asleep we may live with him. ¹¹Therefore encourage one another and strengthen one another, just as you are doing.

¹²We beg you, brothers, to respect those who work with you and who lead you in the service of the Lord, and teach you. ¹³Hold them in the highest esteem and affection for what they do. Live at peace with one another. ¹⁴We beg you, brothers, warn the idlers, cheer up the despondent, keep hold of the weak, be patient with everybody. ¹⁵Take care that none of you ever pays back evil for evil, but always try to treat one another and everybody with kindness. ¹⁶Always be joyful. ¹⁷Never give up praying. ¹⁸Thank God whatever happens. For this is what God through Christ Jesus wants you to do. ¹⁹Do not stifle the Spirit. ²⁰Do not disregard the utterances it inspires, ²¹but test them all, retaining what is good ²²and avoiding every kind of evil.

²³May God himself, the giver of peace, consecrate you through and through. Spirit, soul, and body, may you be kept sound, and be found irreproachable when our Lord Jesus Christ comes. ²⁴He who calls you can be relied on, and he will do this.

²⁵Brothers, pray for us.

²⁶Greet all the brothers with a sacred kiss. ²⁷I charge you in the Lord’s name to have this letter read to all the brothers.

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