Now as to the ^1atimes and dates, ²brothers and sisters, you ^bhave no need for anything to be written to you. 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. 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. 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; 5 for you are all ^asons of light and sons of day. We do not belong to the night nor to ^bdarkness. 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. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who are drunk get ^adrunk at night. 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. 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, 10 ^awho died willingly for us, so that whether we are awake (alive) or asleep (dead) at Christ’s appearing, we will live together with Him sharing eternal life. 11 Therefore encourage and comfort one another and ^abuild up one another, just as you are doing.

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, 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. 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 35:4 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. 16 ^aRejoice always and delight in your faith; 17 ^abe unceasing and persistent in prayer; 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. 19 ^aDo not quench subdue, or be unresponsive to the working and guidance of the Holy Spirit. 20 Do not scorn or reject ^agifts of prophecy or prophecies spoken revelations—words of instruction or exhortation or warning. 21 But ^atest ¹all things carefully so you can recognize what is good. ^bHold firmly to that which is good. 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. 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.

25 Brothers and sisters, ^apray for us.

26 ^aGreet all the believers with a holy ¹kiss as brothers and sisters in God’s family. 27 I solemnly charge you by the Lord to ^ahave this letter read before all the ^1bcongregation.

28 ^aThe grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.