| New King James Version | New Living Translation |
| 1But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. | 1Now concerning how and when all this will happen, dear brothers and sisters, we don’t really need to write you. |
| 2For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. | 2For you know quite well that the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night. |
| 3For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. | 3When people are saying, “Everything is peaceful and secure,” then disaster will fall on them as suddenly as a pregnant woman’s labor pains begin. And there will be no escape. |
| 4But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. | 4But you aren’t in the dark about these things, dear brothers and sisters, and you won’t be surprised when the day of the Lord comes like a thief. |
| 5You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. | 5For you are all children of the light and of the day; we don’t belong to darkness and night. |
| 6Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. | 6So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded. |
| 7For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. | 7Night is the time when people sleep and drinkers get drunk. |
| 8But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. | 8But let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation. |
| 9For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, | 9For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us. |
| 10who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. | 10Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever. |
| 11Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing. | 11So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing. Paul’s Final Advice |
| 12And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, | 12Dear brothers and sisters, honor those who are your leaders in the Lord’s work. They work hard among you and give you spiritual guidance. |
| 13and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves. | 13Show them great respect and wholehearted love because of their work. And live peacefully with each other. |
| 14Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. | 14Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone. |
| 15See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all. | 15See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people. |
| 16Rejoice always, | 16Always be joyful. |
| 17pray without ceasing, | 17Never stop praying. |
| 18in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. | 18Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. |
| 19Do not quench the Spirit. | 19Do not stifle the Holy Spirit. |
| 20Do not despise prophecies. | 20Do not scoff at prophecies, |
| 21Test all things; hold fast what is good. | 21but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. |
| 22Abstain from every form of evil. | 22Stay away from every kind of evil. Paul’s Final Greetings |
| 23Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. | 23Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. |
| 24He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it. | 24God will make this happen, for he who calls you is faithful. |
| 25Brethren, pray for us. | 25Dear brothers and sisters, pray for us. |
| 26Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss. | 26Greet all the brothers and sisters with a sacred kiss. |
| 27I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read to all the holy brethren. | 27I command you in the name of the Lord to read this letter to all the brothers and sisters. |
| 28The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. | 28May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. |
| The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved. | Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. |
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