JMNT(i)
1 But concerning the times and the fitting situations (or: specific seasons or occasions; fertile periods; mature moments), brothers (= fellow believers), you have no need [for it] to be continually written to you,
2 for you yourselves are accurately aware (know exactly from having seen) that a day of, from and which is the Lord [= Yahweh] thus continually comes (is habitually and repeatedly coming and going; is presently coming) as a thief in a night (or: within [the] night). [comment: the day of Yahweh was a term that figured a time of judging and hard times, in the Old Testament; e.g., cf Joel 1:15 and 2:1-2; Jer. 30:7; Amos 5:18; Zeph. 1:14-18]
3 So whenever they may be repeatedly saying, "Peace and security from falling (or: safety; stability), " then (at that time) sudden and unexpected ruin (or: a surprise of destruction) is presently standing upon them, just as the birth-pang for the pregnant woman (or: to the one having [a child] in the womb), and they may by no means flee out or make an escape.
4 Yet you yourselves, brothers (= believers), are not continuously in darkness (dimness from being in a shadow; obscurity of gloom; absence of daylight) to the end that the day may (or: would) suddenly take you down (grasp or seize you in a corresponding manner) as a thief,
5 for you see, you all are (or: exist being) sons of (= associated with and having the qualities of) Light and sons of (= associated with and having qualities of) Day! We are not (or: do not exist) of night, nor of darkness (or: we do not belong to or have the characteristics of night, nor to or of dim obscurity from shadows and gloom).
6 Consequently, then, we may not continuously fall asleep [into death? in awareness?] even as the rest (= as other folks), but rather, we can and should continuously be aroused and stirred up from sleep [comment: thus, awake to be alertly watchful; also a figure for being alive] and sober (or: clear-headed).
7 You see, the folks continuously falling asleep (or: drowsing) are sleeping at (or: from [the]) night, and the ones continuously being made drunk are becoming drunk at (or: from [the]) night.
8 We, on the other hand, being of Day (belonging to and having characteristics of [the] Day; having [the] Day as our source), can and should continuously be sober (clear-headed), putting on (or: clothing ourselves with; enveloping ourselves in; entering within) a breastplate (or: thorax) of faith and love (or: which is and is composed of faith and love; = have trust & love as body armor) and, as a helmet, an expectation (or: expectant hope) of deliverance (health and wholeness; rescue and salvation; restoration to our original state and condition),
9 because God Himself did not (or: does not) place or set us into anger (inherent fervor; violent emotion; wrath; or: teeming, passionate desire), but rather, into an encompassing of deliverance (or: unto establishing a perimeter of safety; into making health and wholeness encircle [us]; into the forming of an encompassing salvation around [us]) through our Lord, Jesus Christ –
10 the One dying concerning and on behalf of us (or: = while encompassing our [situation]; [other MSS: over our {situation}]), to the end that whether we can or would exist being continuously awake (attentively watching) or continuously falling asleep [note: a metaphor for "being alive or being dead"], we can at the same time be alive (or: live) together with Him (= share His life).
11 Wherefore, keep on calling each other to [your] side (to encourage, aid, urge, comfort or exhort), and by habit let one person build up (or: edify) the [other] person [comment: a one-on-one endeavor], just as you are even continuously doing.
12 Now we are continuously asking you, brothers (= fellow-believers), to have seen (or: observed) and thus know and perceive those normally toiling wearily among you folks and continuously making themselves to stand before you (placing or setting themselves before you; or: presiding over you) and then continuously putting [their] mind in you (or: putting you in mind; or: admonishing you) in [the] Lord,
13 and to continuously lead them above, from out of an abundance in love (or: lead the mind through a reasoning process to the conclusion to consider them exceedingly distinguished, in union with love) because of their work. Keep on being at peace (or: cultivate harmony [= shalom]) among yourselves.
14 But we are continually calling you to [our] side (to encourage, entreat and admonish), brothers: continually admonish and warn (put a mind into; or: put in mind) the disorderly ones (the unarranged; those out of line; those not in battle position or deserters); continually address (speak alongside persuasively to and cheer up) the little-souled folks (the small of soul; = the faint-hearted); continually hold yourselves directly opposite (or: hold against one's self; or: = stand your ground as a shield in front of) the folks without strength (the weak ones); continually be longsuffering and tolerant (patient; long-passioned; long before breathing violently) toward everyone (or: all mankind).
15 Make it a habit to see (or: observe) [that] no one may (or: would) give back (render, discharge, repay) evil in place of evil (or: something ugly as opposition to something ugly; worthlessness in exchange for worthlessness; what not ought to be in return for what not ought to be; poor quality for poor quality; wrongdoing with wrongdoing; injury in the face of injury) to anyone, but to the contrary, continue to always pursue (follow rapidly; run swiftly to acquire; chase after) the good (the excellent; the virtuous) unto [the benefit of] each other as well as unto all people.
16 Be continuously rejoicing – always (or: = Find joy in every [situation]; Always express constant joy)!
17 Continuously think, speak and act with a view toward having well-being and goodness – unceasingly (or: By habit be praying unintermittingly).
18 Within the midst of everything, be continuously giving thanks (or: In union with all people, be habitually expressing the goodness of grace and the well-being from favor), for this is God's intent (will, purpose) unto you in Christ Jesus (or: [proceeding] into the midst of you folks, in union with [the] Anointed Jesus).
19 Do not continually extinguish (put out; quench) the Breath-effect (or: Spirit; spirit).
20 Do not continually make nothing out of (set at naught, despise or scorn) prophecies (expressions of light ahead of time),
21 but be continuously examining and putting all things to the proof (or: yet habitually test every person) – [then] constantly hold tightly to the beautiful, the ideal, the fine!
22 Habitually hold yourself away (or: abstain) from every form (external appearance; shape; figure) of what is useless and unprofitable, or brings wearisome labor, or is mischievous, malicious, harmful or disadvantageous (or: from evil's every form).
23 Now may the God of peace Himself (or: Yet the very God who is peace and harmony [= shalom] can) set you folks apart [being] completely whole (or: wholly perfect; entirely mature; wholly finished and at the goal), and may your whole allotment (= every part) – the spirit, the soul and the body – be kept (guarded; watched over) blameless (without fault) within, and in union with, the presence of our Lord (Master; Owner), Jesus Christ.
24 The One continuously calling you is faithful (trustworthy; loyal; full of faith and trust), Who will also perform (do, make, form, construct, create, produce)!
25 Brothers (= Fellow believers; = Family), you must also continuously pray concerning us (think and speak with a view to having goodness, ease and well-being around us).
26 Draw to yourselves and enfold in your arms all the brothers (= fellow believers) in a set-apart expression of affection (or: a holy kiss).
27 I adjure (lay the duty on) you folks [in; by] the Lord [that] this letter (or: epistle) be read to (be made known again for; be recognized by) all the set-apart brothers (the sanctified [fellow believers]).
28 The grace of and from our Lord (or: the favor which is our Lord), Jesus Christ, [is] with you. Amen (Count on it; It is so)! [written circa A.D. 50 – Based on the critical analysis of John A.T. Robinson]