5:1 | Brothers and sisters, you don't need anyone to write to you about times and dates. |
5:2 | You know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. |
5:3 | When people say, "Everything is safe and sound!" destruction will suddenly strike them. It will be as sudden as labor pains come to a pregnant woman. They won't be able to escape. |
5:4 | But, brothers and sisters, you don't live in the dark. That day won't take you by surprise as a thief would. |
5:5 | You belong to the day and the light not to the night and the dark. |
5:6 | Therefore, we must not fall asleep like other people, but we must stay awake and be sober. |
5:7 | People who sleep, sleep at night; people who get drunk, get drunk at night. |
5:8 | Since we belong to the day, we must be sober. We must put on faith and love as a breastplate and the hope of salvation as a helmet. |
5:9 | It was not God's intention that we experience his anger but that we obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. |
5:10 | He died for us so that, whether we are awake in this life or asleep in death, we will live together with him. |
5:11 | Therefore, encourage each other and strengthen one another as you are doing. |
5:12 | Brothers and sisters, we ask you to show your appreciation for those leaders who work among you and instruct you. |
5:13 | We ask you to love them and think very highly of them because of the work they are doing. Live in peace with each other. |
5:14 | We encourage you, brothers and sisters, to instruct those who are not living right, cheer up those who are discouraged, help the weak, and be patient with everyone. |
5:15 | Make sure that no one ever pays back one wrong with another wrong. Instead, always try to do what is good for each other and everyone else. |
5:16 | Always be joyful. |
5:17 | Never stop praying. |
5:18 | Whatever happens, give thanks, because it is God's will in Christ Jesus that you do this. |
5:19 | Don't put out the Spirit's fire. |
5:20 | Don't despise what God has revealed. |
5:21 | Instead, test everything. Hold on to what is good. |
5:22 | Keep away from every kind of evil. |
5:23 | May the God who gives peace make you holy in every way. May he keep your whole beingspirit, soul, and bodyblameless when our Lord Jesus Christ comes. |
5:24 | The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this. |
5:25 | Brothers and sisters, pray for us. |
5:26 | Greet all the brothers and sisters with a holy kiss. |
5:27 | In the Lord's name, I order you to read this letter to all the brothers and sisters. |
5:28 | The good will of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. |