The Day of the Lord
(2 Peter 3:8–13)

1NOW concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I should write to you: 2for yourselves know precisely that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. 3For when they say, Peace and safety, then sudden destruction rusheth upon them, as travail on a woman with child, and they shall in no wise escape. 4But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day should overtake you as a thief. 5Ye are all the children of light, and the children of day: we are not the children of night, nor of darkness. 6Let us not then sleep as do others; but let us watch and be sober. 7For they who sleep, sleep in the night, and they who are drunken, are drunken in the night; 8but let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. 9For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10who died for us, that whether we sleep, or whether we wake, we may live together with him. 11Wherefore comfort one another, and edify one another, as also ye do.

Christian Living

12Now we entreat you, brethren, to know those who labour among you, and preside over you in the Lord, and admonish you; 13and to account of them very highly in love for their work?s sake. And live in peace among yourselves. 14Now we conjure you, brethren, admonish the unruly, comfort the feeble-minded, support the infirm, be patient with all men. 15See that no man return evil for evil to any man; but always pursue that which is good, both towards one another, and towards all men. 16Rejoice evermore. 17Pray without ceasing. 18In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus to you-wards. 19Quench not the Spirit. 20Despise not prophesyings. 21Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. 22Abstain from all appearance of evil.

Final Blessings and Instructions

23Now the God of peace himself sanctify you wholly; and may your whole spirit, and soul, and body be preserved faultless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.

25Brethren, pray for us.

26Salute all the brethren with an holy kiss. 27I conjure you by the Lord, that this epistle be read to all the holy brethren.

28The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.The first epistle to the Thessalonians was written from Athens.