¹ But as to the times and the moments, there is no need, Brothers, for any one to write to you.

² You yourselves know well that the Day of the Lord will come just as a thief comes in the night.

³ When people are saying ‘All is quiet and safe,’ it is then that, like birth-pains upon a woman with child, Ruin comes suddenly upon them, and there will be no escape!

⁴ You, however, Brothers, are not in darkness, that the daylight should take you by surprise as if you were thieves.

⁵ For you all are ‘Sons of Light’ and ‘Sons of the Day.’ We have nothing to do with night, or darkness.

⁶ Therefore let us not sleep as others do. No, let us be watchful and self-controlled.

⁷ It is at night that men sleep, and at night that drunkards get drunk.

⁸ But let us, who belong to the Day, control ourselves, and put on faith and love as a breast plate, and the hope of Salvation as a helmet.

⁹ For God destined us, not for Wrath, but to win Salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us,

¹⁰ that, whether we are still watching or have fallen asleep, we may live with him.

¹¹ Therefore encourage one another, and try to build up one another’s characters, as indeed you are doing.

Conclusion

¹² We beg you, Brothers, to value those who toil among you, and are your leaders in the Lord’s service, and give you counsel.

¹³ Hold them in the very greatest esteem and affection for the sake of their work. Live at peace with one another.

¹⁴ We entreat you also, Brothers — warn the disorderly, comfort the faint-hearted, give a helping hand to the weak, and be patient with every one.

¹⁵ Take care that none of you ever pays back wrong for wrong, but always follow the kindest course with one another and with every one.

¹⁶ Always be joyful;

¹⁷ never cease to pray;

¹⁸ under all circumstances give thanks to God. For this is his will for you as made known in Christ Jesus.

¹⁹ Do not quench the Spirit;

²⁰ do not make light of preaching.

²¹ Bring everything to the test; cling to what is good;

²² shun every form of evil.

²³ May God himself, the giver of peace, make you altogether holy; and may your spirits, souls, and bodies be kept altogether faultless until the Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

²⁴ He who calls you will not fail you; he will complete his work.

²⁵ Brothers, pray for us.

²⁶ Greet all the Brothers with a sacred kiss.

²⁷ I adjure you in the Lord’s name to have this letter read to all the Brethren.

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