Chapter five.
But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write
unto you.
For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the
night.
For when they shall say, Peace and safety, then sudden destruction cometh upon them,
as travail upon a woman with child, and they shall not escape.
But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a
thief.
Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day.
We are not of the night, nor of darkness.
Therefore let us not sleep, as do others, but let us watch and be sober.
For they that sleep, sleep in the night, and they that be drunken, are drunken in
the night.
But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of
faith and love, and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus
Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together
with him.
Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labor among you, and are over you in
the Lord, and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love for their work's
sake, and be at peace among yourselves.
Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly.
Comfort the feeble-minded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.
See that none render evil for evil unto any man, but ever follow that which is
good, both among yourselves and to all men.
Rejoice evermore.
Pray without ceasing.
In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning
you.
Quench not the spirit, despise not prophesying's.
Prove all things.
Hold fast that which is good, abstain from all appearance of evil, and the very God
of peace sanctify you wholly.
And I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the
coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Faithful is he that calleth you who also will do it.
Brethren, pray for us.
Greet all the brethren with unholy kiss.
I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
Amen.
The first epistle to the Thessalonians was written from Athens.