Now as to the 1atimes and dates, 2brothers and sisters, you bhave no need for anything to be written to you.The Greek word here for times refers to the length of time (indicating how long one must wait for something), while the word for dates refers to the particular time that a significant event will happen.Lit brethren.Acts 1:71 Thess 4:9 2 For you yourselves know perfectly well that athe day of the return of the Lord is coming bjust as a thief comes unexpectedly and suddenly in the night.1 Cor 1:8Luke 21:34; 1 Thess 5:4; 2 Pet 3:10; Rev 3:3; 16:15 3 While they are saying, “aPeace and safety all is well and secure!” then in a moment unforeseen bdestruction will come upon them suddenly like clabor pains on a woman with child, and they will absolutely not escape for there will be no way to escape the judgment of the Lord.Jer 6:14; 8:11; Ezek 13:102 Thess 1:9John 16:21 4 But you, 1believers, all you who believe in Christ as Savior and acknowledge Him as God’s Son are not in spiritual adarkness nor held by its power, that the day of judgment would overtake you by surprise blike a thief;Lit brethren.Acts 26:18; 1 John 2:8Luke 21:34; 1 Thess 5:2; 2 Pet 3:10; Rev 3:3; 16:15 5 for you are all asons of light and sons of day. We do not belong to the night nor to bdarkness.Luke 16:8Acts 26:18; 1 John 2:8 6 So then let us not asleep in spiritual indifference as bthe rest of the world does, but let us keep wide awake alert and cautious and let us be csober self-controlled, calm, and wise.Rom 13:11; 1 Thess 5:10Eph 2:3; 1 Thess 4:131 Pet 1:13 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who are drunk get adrunk at night.Acts 2:15; 2 Pet 2:13 8 But since awe believers belong to the day, let us bbe sober, having put on the cbreastplate of dfaith and love, and as a ehelmet, the fhope and confident assurance of salvation.1 Thess 5:51 Pet 1:13Is 59:17; Eph 6:14Eph 6:23Eph 6:17Rom 8:24 9 For God has not destined us to incur His awrath that is, He did not select us to condemn us, but to bobtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,1 Thess 1:102 Thess 2:13f 10 awho died willingly for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep at Christ’s appearing, we will live together with Him sharing eternal life.Rom 14:9 11 Therefore encourage and comfort one another and abuild up one another, just as you are doing.Eph 4:29
12 Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to aappreciate those bwho diligently work among you recognize, acknowledge, and respect your leaders, who care in charge over you in the Lord and who give you instruction,1 Cor 16:18; 1 Tim 5:17Rom 16:6, 12; 1 Cor 15:10; 16:16Heb 13:17 13 and we ask that you appreciate them and hold them in the highest esteem in love because of their work on your behalf. aLive in peace with one another.Mark 9:50 14 We earnestly urge you, believers, admonish athose who are out of line the undisciplined, the unruly, the disorderly, encourage bthe timid who lack spiritual courage, help cthe spiritually weak, be very dpatient with everyone always controlling your temper. Is 35:42 Thess 3:6, 7, 11Is 35:4Rom 14:1f; 1 Cor 8:7ff; Rom 15:11 Cor 13:4 15 See that ano one repays another with evil for evil, but always bseek that which is good for one another and for all people.Matt 5:44; Rom 12:17; 1 Pet 3:9Rom 12:9; Gal 6:10; 1 Thess 5:21 16 aRejoice always and delight in your faith;Phil 4:4 17 abe unceasing and persistent in prayer;Eph 6:18 18 in every situation no matter what the circumstances abe thankful and continually give thanks to God; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.Eph 5:20 19 aDo not quench subdue, or be unresponsive to the working and guidance of the Holy Spirit.Eph 4:30 20 Do not scorn or reject agifts of prophecy or prophecies spoken revelations—words of instruction or exhortation or warning.Acts 13:1; 1 Cor 14:31 21 But atest 1all things carefully so you can recognize what is good. bHold firmly to that which is good.Or everyone, that is, anyone claiming to be a prophet.1 Cor 14:29; 1 John 4:1Rom 12:9; Gal 6:10; 1 Thess 5:15 22 Abstain from every form of evil withdraw and keep away from it.
23 Now amay the God of peace bHimself sanctify you through and through that is, separate you from profane and vulgar things, make you pure and whole and undamaged—consecrated to Him—set apart for His purpose; and may your cspirit and soul and body be kept complete and be found dblameless at ethe coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.Rom 15:331 Thess 3:11Luke 1:46f; Heb 4:12James 1:4; 2 Pet 3:141 Thess 2:19 24 aFaithful and absolutely trustworthy is He who is bcalling you to Himself for your salvation, and He will do it He will fulfill His call by making you holy, guarding you, watching over you, and protecting you as His own.1 Cor 1:9; 2 Thess 3:31 Thess 2:12
25 Brothers and sisters, apray for us.Eph 6:19; 2 Thess 3:1; Heb 13:18
26 aGreet all the believers with a holy 1kiss as brothers and sisters in God’s family.Greeting other believers with a kiss on the cheek would be the equivalent of today’s handshake, pat on the back, or casual hug.Rom 16:16 27 I solemnly charge you by the Lord to ahave this letter read before all the 1bcongregation.Lit brethren.Col 4:16Acts 1:15
28 aThe grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.Rom 16:20; 2 Thess 3:18