Chapter 5

  But concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need that anything be written to you.  

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  For you yourselves know well that the day of the Lord comes like a thief in the night.  

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  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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  But you, brothers, aren't in darkness, that the day should overtake you like a thief.  

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  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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  so then let's not sleep, as the rest do, but let us watch and be sober.  

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  For those who sleep, sleep in the night, and those who are drunken are drunken in the night.  

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  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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  For God didn't appoint us to wrath, but to the obtaining of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,  

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  who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.  

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  Therefore exhort one another, and build each other up, even as you also do.  

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  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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  and to respect and honor them in love for their work's sake. Be at peace among yourselves.  

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  We exhort you, brothers, admonish the disorderly, encourage the fainthearted, support the weak, be patient toward all.  

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  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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  Rejoice always.  

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  Pray without ceasing.  

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  In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus toward you.  

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  Don't quench the Spirit.  

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  Don't despise prophesies.  

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  Test all things, and hold firmly that which is good.  

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  Abstain from every form of evil.  

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  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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  Faithful is he who calls you, who will also do it.  

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  Brothers, pray for us.  

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  Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss.  

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  I solemnly charge you by the Lord that this letter be read to all the holy brothers.  

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  The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.  

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