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