Christian Standard Bible

New Living Translation

1About the times and the seasons: Brothers and sisters, you do not need anything to be written to you.

1Now concerning how and when all this will happen, dear brothers and sisters, we don’t really need to write you.

2For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night.

2For you know quite well that the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night.

3When they say, "Peace and security," then sudden destruction will come upon them, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

3When people are saying, “Everything is peaceful and secure,” then disaster will fall on them as suddenly as a pregnant woman’s labor pains begin. And there will be no escape.

4But you, brothers and sisters, are not in the dark, for this day to surprise you like a thief.

4But you aren’t in the dark about these things, dear brothers and sisters, and you won’t be surprised when the day of the Lord comes like a thief.

5For you are all children of light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or the darkness.

5For you are all children of the light and of the day; we don’t belong to darkness and night.

6So then, let us not sleep, like the rest, but let us stay awake and be self-controlled.

6So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded.

7For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night.

7Night is the time when people sleep and drinkers get drunk.

8But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled and put on the armor of faith and love, and a helmet of the hope of salvation.

8But let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation.

9For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,

9For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us.

10who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him.

10Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever.

11Therefore encourage one another and build each other up as you are already doing.

11So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing. Paul’s Final Advice

12Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to give recognition to those who labor among you and lead you in the Lord and admonish you,

12Dear brothers and sisters, honor those who are your leaders in the Lord’s work. They work hard among you and give you spiritual guidance.

13and to regard them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.

13Show them great respect and wholehearted love because of their work. And live peacefully with each other.

14And we exhort you, brothers and sisters: warn those who are idle, comfort the discouraged, help the weak, be patient with everyone.

14Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone.

15See to it that no one repays evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good for one another and for all.

15See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people.

16Rejoice always,

16Always be joyful.

17pray constantly,

17Never stop praying.

18give thanks in everything; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

18Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

19Don't stifle the Spirit.

19Do not stifle the Holy Spirit.

20Don't despise prophecies,

20Do not scoff at prophecies,

21but test all things. Hold on to what is good.

21but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good.

22Stay away from every kind of evil.

22Stay away from every kind of evil. Paul’s Final Greetings

23Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely. And may your whole spirit, soul, and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

23Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again.

24He who calls you is faithful; he will do it.

24God will make this happen, for he who calls you is faithful.

25Brothers and sisters, pray for us also.

25Dear brothers and sisters, pray for us.

26Greet all the brothers and sisters with a holy kiss.

26Greet all the brothers and sisters with a sacred kiss.

27I charge you by the Lord that this letter be read to all the brothers and sisters.

27I command you in the name of the Lord to read this letter to all the brothers and sisters.

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

28May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission.

Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.