1About dates and times, my friends, we need not write to you, 2for you know perfectly well that the Day of the Lord comes like a thief in the night. 3While they are talking of peace and security, all at once calamity is upon them, sudden as the pangs that come upon a woman with child; and there will be no escape. 4But you, my friends, are not in the dark, that the day should overtake you like a thief. 5You are all children of light, children of day. We do not belong to night or darkness, 6and we must not sleep like the rest, but keep awake and sober. 7Sleepers sleep at night, and drunkards are drunk at night, 8 [ Is.59.17, Wis.5.18. ] but we, who belong to daylight, must keep sober, armed with faith and love for coat of mail, and the hope of salvation for helmet. 9For God has not destined us to the terrors of judgement, but to the full attainment of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 10He died for us so that we, awake or asleep, might live in company with him. 11Therefore hearten one another, fortify one another- as indeed you do.
12WE BEG YOU, BROTHERS, to acknowledge those who are working so hard among you, and in the Lord's fellowship are your leaders and counsellors. 13Hold them in the highest possible esteem and affection for the work they do.
14You must live at peace among yourselves. And we would urge you, brothers, to admonish the careless, encourage the faint-hearted, support the weak, and to be very patient with them all.
15See to it that no one pays back wrong for wrong, but always aim at doing the best you can for each other and for all men.
16Be always joyful; 17pray continually; 18give thanks whatever happens; for this is what God in Christ wills for you.
19Do not stifle inspiration, 20and do not despise prophetic utterances, 21but bring them all to the test and then keep what is good in them 22and avoid the bad of whatever kind.
23May God himself, the God of peace, make you holy in every part, and keep you sound in spirit, soul, and body, without fault when our Lord Jesus Christ comes. 24He who calls you is to be trusted; he will do it.
25Brothers, pray for us also.
26Greet all our brothers with the kiss of peace.
27I adjure you by the Lord to have this letter read to the whole brotherhood.
28The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you!
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