1 Thessalonians 5
Paul warns that the day of the Lord comes as a thief in the night, bringing sudden destruction on those who say "peace and safety," but believers are children of the light and should watch and be sober. He gives final instructions: rejoice evermore, pray without ceasing, give thanks in everything, quench not the Spirit, prove all things, and hold fast that which is good.
| v | King James Version | Modern English |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. | But of the times and the seasons, brethren, You have no need that anything be written to You. |
| 2 | For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. | For You yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. |
| 3 | For 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. | When they shall say, "Peace and safety," then sudden destruction comes upon them, like labor pains upon a woman with child — and they shall not escape. |
| 4 | But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. | But You, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake You like a thief. |
| 5 | Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. | You are all children of light and children of the day. We are not of the night or of darkness. |
| 6 | Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. | Therefore let us not sleep as others do, but let us watch and be sober. |
| 7 | For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. | For those who sleep, sleep at night; and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. |
| 8 | But 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. | But let us, who are of the day, be sober — putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. |
| 9 | For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, | For God has not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, |
| 10 | Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. | who died for us, so that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. |
| 11 | Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do. | Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as You are already doing. |
| 12 | And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; | And we appeal to You, brethren, to recognize those who labor among You, and are over You in the Lord, and admonish You, |
| 13 | And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves. | and to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves. |
| 14 | Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. | Now we urge You, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, support the weak, be longsuffering toward all men. |
| 15 | See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men. | See that no one repays evil for evil to anyone; but always pursue what is good, both among yourselves and toward all. |
| 16 | Rejoice evermore. | Rejoice always. |
| 17 | Pray without ceasing. | Pray without ceasing. |
| 18 | In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. | In everything give thanks. For this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning You. |
| 19 | Quench not the Spirit. | Do not quench the Spirit. |
| 20 | Despise not prophesyings. | Do not despise prophesyings. |
| 21 | Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. | Test all things; hold fast what is good. |
| 22 | Abstain from all appearance of evil. | Abstain from every appearance of evil. |
| 23 | And 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. | And the very God of peace sanctify You wholly; and may Your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. |
| 24 | Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it. | Faithful is He who calls you, who also will do it. |
| 25 | Brethren, pray for us. | Brethren, pray for us. |
| 26 | Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss. | Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss. |
| 27 | I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren. | I charge You by the Lord that this epistle be read to all the holy brethren. |
| 28 | The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. | The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with You. Amen. |