The Day of the Lord
(Zephaniah 1:7–18; Malachi 4:1–6; 2 Peter 3:8–13)

1Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you⁺ have no need to be written to you⁺. 2For you⁺ yourselves thoroughly know that the day of the Lord comes in this way, as a thief in the night. 3When† they may say, “Peace and security,” then suddenly destruction comes upon them, as the labor pains to her having in womb; and they shall not escape.

4But you⁺, brothers, are not in darkness, that the day should overtake you⁺ like a thief.† 5For† you⁺ are all sons of light and sons of day; we are not of night and not of darkness. 6So then, we should not sleep as the rest, but we should watch and we should be sober. 7For those sleeping, sleep by night; and those becoming drunk, get drunk by night. 8But we,† being of the day, should be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and the helmet—the hope of salvation, 9because God did not set us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10the One having died for us, so that whether we may watch or we may sleep, we may live together with Him. 11Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as also you⁺ are doing.

Christian Living

12But we ask you⁺, brothers, to know those toiling among you⁺ and presiding over you⁺ in the Lord and admonishing you⁺, 13and to esteem them exceedingly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.

14And we exhort you⁺, brothers, to admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, support the weak, be patient toward all.

15See that no one shall repay to anyone evil for evil, but always pursue the good also to one another and to all.

16Always rejoice. 17Unceasingly pray. 18In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God for you⁺ in Christ Jesus.

19Do not quench the Spirit. 20Do not despise prophecies, 21but test all things. Hold fast to the good. 22Abstain from every form of evil.

Final Blessings and Instructions

23Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you⁺ completely, and may your⁺ entire spirit and soul and body be kept blameless† at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24Faithful is the One calling you⁺, who also will do it.

25Brothers, pray also† for us.

26Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss.

27I adjure you⁺ by the Lord for the letter to be read to all the† brothers.

28The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you⁺.†

Footnotes:

3 BYZ and TR For when
4 WH like thieves
5 BYZ and TR do not include For
8 GOC you
23 Or may your spirit, soul, and body be kept entirely blameless
25 BYZ and TR do not include also.
27 BYZ and TR include holy.
28 BYZ and TR include Amen.