1Th 5 | HCSB | STEP | About the times and the seasons : Brothers , you do not need anything to be written to you .

1 Thessalonians 5

The Day of the Lord

1 About the times and the seasons: ^a ^{▼▼brother(s): The Greek word adelphoi can be used as a reference to males only or to groups that include males and females. It is the context of each usage that determines the proper meaning.}Brothers, you do not need anything to be written to you. 2 For you yourselves know very well that the Day of the Lord ^c will come just like a thief ^d in the night. 3 When they say, “Peace and security,” then sudden destruction ^e comes on them, like labor pains come on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 4 But you, brothers, are not in the dark, for this day to overtake you like a thief. ^f 5 For you are all sons of light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or the darkness. ^g 6 So then, we must not sleep, like the rest, but we must stay awake and be serious. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. 8 But since we belong to the day, we must be serious ^h and put the armor ⁱ of faith and love on our chests, and put on a helmet ^j of the hope of salvation. 9 For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord ^k Jesus Christ, ^l 10 who died for us, ^m so that whether we are awake or ^{▼▼asleep: A term used in reference to those who have died}asleep, ^o we will live together with Him. ^p 11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up as you are already doing.

Exhortations and Blessings

12 Now we ask you, brothers, to give recognition ^q to those who labor among you and lead you in the Lord and admonish you, 13 and to regard them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace ^r among yourselves. 14 And we exhort you, brothers: ^s warn those who are irresponsible, ^{▼▼Or who are disorderly, or who are undisciplined} comfort the discouraged, help the weak, be patient ^u with everyone. 15 See to it that no one repays evil for evil ^v to anyone, ^w but always pursue what is good for one another and for all. ^x

16 Rejoice ^y always!
17 Pray constantly.
18 Give thanks in everything,
for this is God’s will ^z for you in Christ Jesus.
19 Don’t stifle the Spirit.
20 Don’t despise prophecies,
21 but test all things. ^aa
Hold on to what is good.
22 Stay away ^ab from every kind of evil.

23 Now may the God of peace ^ac Himself ^{▼▼saint(s)/sanctification/sanctify/sanctified: The work of the Holy Spirit that separates believers in Jesus from the world; at the time of saving faith in Jesus, the believer is made a saint; therefore, all believers are saints. The believer participates with the Spirit in a process of transformation that continues until glorification. The goal of sanctification is progressive conformity to the image of Jesus Christ.}sanctify you completely. And may your spirit, ^ae soul, and body be kept sound and blameless for the coming ^af of our Lord ^ag Jesus Christ. ^ah 24 He who calls ^ai you ^aj is faithful, who also will do it. 25 Brothers, pray for us also. 26 Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss. 27 I charge you by the Lord that this letter be read to all the brothers. ^ak 28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.