New International Version

New Living Translation

The Day of the Lord

Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you,

1

Now concerning how and when all this will happen, dear brothers and sisters,a we don’t really need to write you.

2

for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.

2

For you know quite well that the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night.

3

While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

3

When people are saying, “Everything is peaceful and secure,” then disaster will fall on them as suddenly as a pregnant woman’s labor pains begin. And there will be no escape.

4

But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief.

4

But you aren’t in the dark about these things, dear brothers and sisters, and you won’t be surprised when the day of the Lord comes like a thief.b

5

You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness.

5

For you are all children of the light and of the day; we don’t belong to darkness and night.

6

So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober.

6

So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded.

7

For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night.

7

Night is the time when people sleep and drinkers get drunk.

8

But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.

8

But let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation.

9

For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.

9

For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us.

10

He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him.

10

Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever.

11

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

11

So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.

12

Final Instructions

Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you.

12

Paul’s Final Advice

Dear brothers and sisters, honor those who are your leaders in the Lord’s work. They work hard among you and give you spiritual guidance.

13

Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.

13

Show them great respect and wholehearted love because of their work. And live peacefully with each other.

14

And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone.

14

Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone.

15

Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.

15

See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people.

Rejoice always,

Always be joyful.

pray continually,

Never stop praying.

give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

18

Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

19

Do not quench the Spirit.

19

Do not stifle the Holy Spirit.

20

Do not treat prophecies with contempt

20

Do not scoff at prophecies,

21

but test them all; hold on to what is good,

21

but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good.

22

reject every kind of evil.

22

Stay away from every kind of evil.

23

May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

23

Paul’s Final Greetings

Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again.

24

The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.

24

God will make this happen, for he who calls you is faithful.

25

Brothers and sisters, pray for us.

25

Dear brothers and sisters, pray for us.

26

Greet all God’s people with a holy kiss.

26

Greet all the brothers and sisters with a sacred kiss.