1 But concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need that anything be written to you.
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2 For you yourselves know well that the day of the Lord comes like a thief in the night.
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3 For when they are saying, "Peace and safety," then sudden destruction will come on them, like birth pains on a pregnant woman; and they will in no way escape.
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4 But you, brothers, aren't in darkness, that the day should overtake you like a thief.
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5 You are all sons of light, and sons of the day. We don't belong to the night, nor to darkness,
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6 so then let's not sleep, as the rest do, but let us watch and be sober.
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7 For those who sleep, sleep in the night, and those who are drunken are drunken in the night.
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8 But let us, since we belong to the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and, for a helmet, the hope of salvation.
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9 For God didn't appoint us to wrath, but to the obtaining of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,
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10 who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.
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11 Therefore exhort one another, and build each other up, even as you also do.
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12 But we beg you, brothers, to know those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you,
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13 and to respect and honor them in love for their work's sake. Be at peace among yourselves.
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14 We exhort you, brothers, admonish the disorderly, encourage the fainthearted, support the weak, be patient toward all.
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15 See that no one returns evil for evil to anyone, but always follow after that which is good, towards one another, and towards all.
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16 Rejoice always.
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17 Pray without ceasing.
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18 In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus toward you.
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19 Don't quench the Spirit.
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20 Don't despise prophesies.
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21 Test all things, and hold firmly that which is good.
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22 Abstain from every form of evil.
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23 May the God of peace himself sanctify you completely. May your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
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24 Faithful is he who calls you, who will also do it.
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25 Brothers, pray for us.
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26 Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss.
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27 I solemnly charge you by the Lord that this letter be read to all the holy brothers.
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28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
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