1 Thessalonians 5 - J.B. Phillips New Testament (PHILLIPS)

We must keep awake for his sudden coming

5 1-3 But as far as times and seasons go, my brothers, you don’t need written instructions. You are well aware that the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a burglary to a householder. When men are saying “Peace and security” catastrophe will sweep down upon them as suddenly and inescapably as birth-pangs to a pregnant woman.

4-11 But because you, my brothers, are not living in darkness the day cannot take you completely by surprise. After all, burglary only takes place at night! You are all sons of light, sons of the day, and none of us belongs to darkness or the night. Let us then never fall into the sleep that stupefies the rest of the world: let us keep awake, with our wits about us. Night is the time for sleep and the time when men get drunk, but we men of the daylight should be alert, with faith and love as our breastplate and the hope of our salvation as our helmet. For God did not choose us to condemn us, but that we might secure his salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord. He died for us, so that whether we are “awake” or “asleep” we share his life. So go on cheering and strengthening each other with thoughts like these, as I have no doubt you have been doing.

Reverence your ministers: regulate the conduct of church members

12-13a We ask you too, my brothers, to get to know those who work so hard among you. They are your spiritual leaders to keep you on the right path. Because of this high task of theirs, hold them in highest honour.

13b-18 Live together in peace, and our instruction to this end is to reprimand the unruly, encourage the timid, help the weak and be very patient with all men. Be sure that no one repays a bad turn by a bad turn; good should be your objective always, among yourselves and in the world at large. Be happy in your faith at all times. Never stop praying. Be thankful, whatever the circumstances may be. If you follow this advice you will be working out the will of God expressed to you in Jesus Christ.

Final advice and farewell

19-22 Never damp the fire of the Spirit, and never despise what is spoken in the name of the Lord. By all means use your judgement, and hold on to whatever is really good, Steer clear of evil in any form.

23-24 May the God of peace make you holy through and through. May you be kept in soul and mind and body in spotless integrity until the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is utterly faithful and he will finish what he has set out to do.

25-27 Pray for us, my brothers. Give a handshake all round among the brotherhood. God’s command, which I give you now, is that this letter should be read to all the brothers.

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

PAUL

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1 Thessalonians 5 - Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

5 And concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need of my writing to you, 2 for yourselves have known thoroughly that the day of the Lord as a thief in the night doth so come, 3 for when they may say, Peace and surety, then sudden destruction doth stand by them, as the travail [dot...
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1 Thessalonians 5 - Wycliffe Bible (WYC)

5 But, brethren, of times and moments ye need not that I write to you. 2 For ye yourselves know diligently, that the day of the Lord shall come, as a thief in the night. 3 For when they shall say peace is, and secureness, then sudden death shall come on them[a], as sorrow to a woman that is with c...
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1 Thessalonians 5 - Worldwide English (New Testament) (WE)

5 My brothers, you do not need anyone to write to you about the day or the year when these things will happen. 2 You your-selves surely know that the day of the Lord will come just like a person who comes to steal in the night. 3 When people are saying, `Everything is quiet and safe,' they will be d...
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1 Thessalonians 5 - World English Bible (WEB)

5 But concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need that anything be written to you. 2 For you yourselves know well that the day of the Lord comes like a thief in the night. 3 For when they are saying, “Peace and safety,” then sudden destruction will come on them, like birth pai...
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1 Thessalonians 5 - The Voice (VOICE)

Many people fear death; perhaps it’s the idea of the unknown that stirs the imagination. Death is the great enemy that stands before believers; but through Jesus’ own death and resurrection, the power of death is broken. Paul uses the gentle image of the faithful being asleep as a new perspective on...
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1 Thessalonians 5 - Tree of Life Version (TLV)

Keep Watch for the Day of the Lord5 Now concerning the times and seasons,[a] brothers and sisters, you have no need for anything to be written to you. 2 For you yourselves know very well that the Day of the Lord[b] comes like a thief in the night. 3 When they are saying, “Shalom and safety,”[c] su...
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1 Thessalonians 5 - Revised Standard Version (RSV)

5 But as to the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need to have anything written to you. 2 For you yourselves know well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 When people say, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as travail c...
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1 Thessalonians 5 - Revised Geneva Translation (RGT)

5 But of the times and seasons, brothers, you have no need for me to write to you. 2 For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord shall come as a thief in the night. 3 For when they shall say “Peace and safety”, then sudden destruction shall come upon them, as labor upon a woman with c...
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1 Thessalonians 5 - New Testament for Everyone (NTE)

Children of Light5 Now when it comes to specific times and dates, my dear family, you don’t need to have anyone write to you. 2 You yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a midnight robber. 3 When people say, ‘Peace and security!’, then swift ruin will arrive at their do...
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1 Thessalonians 5 - New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

5 Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers and sisters, you do not need to have anything written to you.(A)2 For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.(B)3 When they say, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come u...
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1 Thessalonians 5 - New Matthew Bible (NMB)

He speaks of the day of doom and coming of the Lord. He exhorts them to watch, and to have regard for those who preach God’s word among them. 5 Of the times and seasons, brethren, you have no need that I write to you. 2 For you yourselves know well that the day of the Lord will come even as a thief...
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1 Thessalonians 5 - New Living Translation (NLT)

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1 Thessalonians 5 - New Life Version (NLV)

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