New Living Translation

King James Bible

1Now concerning how and when all this will happen, dear brothers and sisters, we don’t really need to write you.

1But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.

2For you know quite well that the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night.

2For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.

3When 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.

3For 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.

4But 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.

4But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.

5For you are all children of the light and of the day; we don’t belong to darkness and night.

5Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.

6So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded.

6Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.

7Night is the time when people sleep and drinkers get drunk.

7For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.

8But 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.

8But 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.

9For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us.

9For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

10Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever.

10Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.

11So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing. Paul’s Final Advice

11Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

12Dear brothers and sisters, honor those who are your leaders in the Lord’s work. They work hard among you and give you spiritual guidance.

12And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;

13Show them great respect and wholehearted love because of their work. And live peacefully with each other.

13And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves.

14Brothers 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.

14Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.

15See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people.

15See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.

16Always be joyful.

16Rejoice evermore.

17Never stop praying.

17Pray without ceasing.

18Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

18In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

19Do not stifle the Holy Spirit.

19Quench not the Spirit.

20Do not scoff at prophecies,

20Despise not prophesyings.

21but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good.

21Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

22Stay away from every kind of evil. Paul’s Final Greetings

22Abstain from all appearance of evil.

23Now 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.

23And 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.

24God will make this happen, for he who calls you is faithful.

24Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.

25Dear brothers and sisters, pray for us.

25Brethren, pray for us.

26Greet all the brothers and sisters with a sacred kiss.

26Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss.

27I command you in the name of the Lord to read this letter to all the brothers and sisters.

27I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren.

28May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

28The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

King James Bible, text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.