1 Now as to the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need that anything be written to you.
2 You yourselves know perfectly that the Day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night.
3 While men are saying "Peace and safety," then, like birth-pangs upon a woman with child, destruction will come upon them suddenly. In no wise will they escape.
4 But you, brothers, are not in darkness, that "the Day" should come upon you like a bandit.
5 For you are all sons of light, and sons of day. We are not of night nor of darkness.
6 So then let us not be sleeping as do the rest, but let us be watchful and self-controlled.
7 For those who are sleeping, sleep in the night, and those who are drunken, are drunken in the night.
8 But let us who are of the day be self-controlled, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for a helmet, the hope of salvation.
9 For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to win salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.
10 He died for us, in order that whether we are keeping vigil in life or sleeping in death we may ever be living together with him.
11 So comfort one another, and try to build one another up, as indeed you are doing.
12 I entreat you, brothers, to acknowledge those who are toiling among you and are your leaders in the Lord, and give you counsel.
13 Esteem them very highly in love for their works sake. Live in peace among yourselves.
14 And, brothers, we urge you to admonish the disorderly, comfort the faint-hearted, sustain the weak, lose patience with none.
15 Take care that none of you ever return evil for evil, but always pursue what is kind to one another and to all.
16 Always be joyful.
17 Pray without ceasing.
18 Give thanks in every circumstance, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.
19 Quench not the Spirit.
20 Do not despise prophesyings.
21 But try all, holding fast to the good.
22 Hold aloof from every form of evil.
23 May the God of peace consecrate you wholly; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept altogether faultless until the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
24 He who calls you is faithful; he will fulfil my prayer.
25 Brothers, pray for me.
26 Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss.
27 I adjure you, in the name of the Lord, to have this letter read to all the brothers.
28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.