¹ But concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need for it to be written.

² For you yourselves know accurately the day of the Lord comes as a thief in the night.

³ For when they say, Peace and safety! Then suddenly destruction comes upon them, like travail to the pregnant woman, and they shall not at all escape.

⁴ But you, brothers, are not in darkness, that the Day should overtake you as a thief.

⁵ You are all sons of light and sons of day; we are not of night, nor of darkness.

⁶ So then, we should not sleep, as the rest also do, but we should watch and be sober.

⁷ For those sleeping sleep by night, and those having been drunk are drunk by night.

⁸ But we being of day should be sober, "having put on the breastplate" of faith and love, and the hope of "salvation as a helmet;" Isa. 59:17

⁹ because God has not appointed us to wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,

¹⁰ He dying on our behalf, so that whether we watch or we sleep, we may live together with Him.

¹¹ Therefore, encourage one another, and build up one another, as you indeed do.

¹² But, brothers, we entreat you to know those laboring among you, and taking the lead of you in the Lord, and warning you,

¹³ even esteem them most exceedingly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.

¹⁴ And we exhort you, brothers to warn the disobedient ones, comfort those that are fainthearted, sustain the weak, be long-suffering towards all.

¹⁵ See that no one returns evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue the good, both towards one another and towards all.

¹⁶ Rejoice always.

¹⁷ Pray without ceasing.

¹⁸ In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus toward you.

¹⁹ Do not quench the Spirit.

²⁰ Do not despise prophecies.

²¹ Test all things, hold fast to the good.

²² Keep back from every appearance of evil.

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

²⁴ He who calls you is faithful, who also will perform it .

²⁵ Brothers, pray concerning us.

²⁶ Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss.

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

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