5:1 Now as to the periods and ①times, brothers and sisters, you have no need of anything to be written to you.
▷ ①I.e., the end times
5:2 For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord is coming just like a thief in the night.
5:3 While they are saying, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction ①will come upon them like labor pains upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
▷ ①Lit is coming
5:4 But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness, so that the day would overtake you ①like a thief;
▷ ①One early ms like thieves
5:5 for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of darkness;
5:6 so then, let’s not sleep as ①others do, but let’s be alert and ②sober.
▷ ①Lit the rest (of mankind) ②Or self-controlled
5:7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who are drunk, get drunk at night.
5:8 But since we are of the day, let’s be ①sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation.
▷ ①Or self-controlled
5:9 For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,
5:10 who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him.
5:11 Therefore, ①encourage one another and build one another up, just as you also are doing.
▷ ①Or comfort
5:12 But we ask you, brothers and sisters, to recognize those who diligently labor among you and ①are in leadership over you in the Lord, and give you ②instruction,
▷ ①Or care for you ②Or admonition
5:13 and that you regard them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another.
5:14 We urge you, brothers and sisters, admonish the ①unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone.
▷ ①Or undisciplined
5:15 See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek what is good for one another and for all people.
5:16 Rejoice always,
5:17 pray without ceasing,
5:18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.
5:19 Do not quench the Spirit,
5:20 do not utterly reject ①prophecies,
▷ ①Or prophetic gifts
5:21 but examine everything; hold firmly to that which is good,
5:22 abstain from every ①form of evil.
▷ ①Or appearance
5:23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
5:24 Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will do it.
5:25 Brothers and sisters, pray for us ①.
▷ ①Two early mss add also
5:26 Greet all the brothers and sisters with a holy kiss.
5:27 I put you under oath by the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers and sisters.
5:28 May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.