1Th 5 | ISV | STEP | Be Ready for the Day of the Lord Now you do not need to have anything written to you about times and dates, brothers,

1 Thessalonians 5

1 Be Ready for the Day of the Lord

Now you do not need to have anything written to you about times and dates, brothers,Matt 24:3, 36; Acts 1:7; 1Thes 4:9 2 for you yourselves know very well that the Day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.Matt 24:43-44; 25:13; Luke 12:39-40; 2Pet 3:10; Rev 3:3; 16:15 3 When people ^{▼▼Lit. they} say, “There is peace and security,” destruction will strike them as suddenly as labor pains come ^{▼▼The Gk. lacks come} to a pregnant woman, and they will not be able to escape.Isa 13:6-9; Jer 13:21; Hos 13:13; Luke 17:27-29; 21:34-35; 2Thes 1:9

4 However, brothers, you are not in the darkness, in order that the day might surprise you like a thief.Rom 13:12-13; 1John 2:8 5 For all of you are children of light and children of day. We do not belong to the night or to darkness.Eph 5:8 6 Therefore, let us not fall asleep like others do, but let us stay awake and be sober.Matt 24:42; Rom 13:11-13; 1Pet 5:8 7 For people who go to sleep, go to sleep at night; and people who get drunk, get drunk at night.Luke 21:34, 36; Acts 2:15; Rom 13:13; 1Cor 15:34; Eph 5:14 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober. We must put on the breastplate of faith and love, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.Isa 59:17; Eph 6:14, 16-17 9 For God has not destined us for wrath but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,Rom 9:22; 1Thes 1:10; 2Thes 2:13-14; 1Pet 2:8; Jude 1:4 10 who died for us in order that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him.Rom 14:8-9; 2Cor 5:15 11 So then, encourage one another and build each other up, as you are doing.1Thes 4:18

12 Paul Gives Final Instructions to the ChurchBrothers, we ask you to show your appreciation for those who work among you, set an example for you in the Lord, and instruct ^{▼▼Or admonish} you.1Cor 16:18; Phil 2:29; 1Tim 5:17; Heb 13:7, 17 13 Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.Mark 9:50 14 We urge you, brothers, to instruct ^{▼▼Or admonish} those who are idle, ^{▼▼Or disorderly} cheer up those who are discouraged, and help those who are weak. Be patient with everyone.Rom 14:1; 15:1; Gal 5:22; 6:1-2; Eph 4:2; Col 3:12; 2Thes 3:11-12; 2Tim 4:2; Heb 12:12 15 Make sure that no one pays back evil for evil. Instead, always pursue what is good for each other and for everyone else.Lev 19:18; Prov 20:22; 24:29; Matt 5:39, 44; Rom 12:17; 1Cor 6:7; Gal 6:10; 1Thes 3:12; 1Pet 3:9 16 Always be joyful.2Cor 6:10; Phil 4:4 17 Continually be prayerful.Luke 18:1; 21:36; Rom 12:12; Eph 6:18; Col 4:2; 1Pet 4:7 18 In everything be thankful, because this is God's will in Christ Jesus for you.Eph 5:20; Col 3:17 19 Do not put out the Spirit's fire. ^{▼▼I.e. stifle the Spirit's work}1Cor 14:30; Eph 4:30; 1Tim 4:14; 2Tim 1:6 20 Do not despise prophecies.1Cor 14:1, 39 21 Instead, test everything. Hold on to what is good,1Cor 2:11, 15; Phil 4:8; 1John 4:1 22 but keep away from every kind of evil.1Thes 4:12

23 Final GreetingMay the God of peace himself make you holy in every way. And may your whole being—spirit, soul, and body—be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.1Cor 1:8; Phil 4:9; 1Thes 3:13 24 The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this.1Cor 1:9; 10:13; 2Thes 3:3 25 Brothers, pray ^{▼▼Other mss. read also pray} for us.Col 4:3; 2Thes 3:1 26 Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss.Rom 16:16 27 I order you by the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers.Col 4:16; 2Thes 3:14 28 May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you! Amen. ^{▼▼4:28 Other mss. lack Amen}Rom 16:20, 24; 2Thes 3:18