Thomson(i)
1 Now, in respect to the times and the seasons, you brethren, have no need of our writing to you;
2 for you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord cometh as a thief at night.
3 For whilst they are saying, there is peace and safety, sudden destruction is then upon them, like the pangs of a woman in travail, and they cannot escape.
4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that this day should break upon you at unawares as a thief.
5 You are all children of light and children of the day. We are not of night, nor of darkness.
6 Therefore let us not sleep as others do; but let us watch and be sober.
7 For they who sleep, sleep at night; and they who get drunk are drunk at night.
8 But as we are of the day, let us be sober, arming ourselves with the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet with the hope of salvation.
9 Because God hath not stationed us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,
10 who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep we may live with him;
11 therefore comfort one another, and edify one another, as indeed you do.
12 Now we intreat you, brethren, to consider them who labour among you, and preside over you in the Lord, and instruct you:
13 and esteem them very highly in love on account of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.
14 And we exhort you, brethren; admonish the disorderly; comfort the desponding; support the weak; exercise forbearance towards all;
15 see that none return evil for evil to any one; but on all occasions do all the good you can, both to one another and to all men.
16 Be always cheerful.
17 Pray without ceasing.
18 Render thanks for every thing; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
19 Quench not the spirit.
20 Despise not prophesyings.
21 Prove all things and adhere to what is good.
22 Abstain from every appearance of evil.
23 And may the God of this peace himself sanctify you entirely! And may the whole of you: the spirit and the soul, and the body, be preserved blameless to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
24 He who calleth you is faithful, and will do this.
25 Brethren, pray for us.
26 Salute all the brethren with a holy kiss.
27 I adjure you by the Lord that this letter be read to all the holy brethren.
28 The favour of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.