| Chapter 5 |
1 | But about the times and their order, my brothers, there is no need for me to say anything to you.
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2 | For you yourselves have the knowledge that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.
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3 | When they say, There is peace and no danger, then sudden destruction will come on them, as birth-pains on a woman with child; and they will not be able to get away from it.
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4 | But you, my brothers, are not in the dark, for that day to overtake you like a thief:
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5 | For you are all sons of light and of the day: we are not of the night or of the dark.
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6 | So then, let us not take our rest as the others do, but let us be self-controlled and awake.
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7 | For those who are sleeping do so in the night; and those who are the worse for drink are so in the night;
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8 | But let us, who are of the day, be serious, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and on our heads, the hope of salvation.
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9 | For God's purpose for us is not wrath, but salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,
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10 | Who was put to death for us, so that, awake or sleeping, we may have a part in his life.
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11 | So then, go on comforting and building up one another, as you have been doing.
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12 | But we make this request to you, my brothers: give attention to those who are working among you, who are over you in the Lord to keep order among you;
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13 | And have a high opinion of them in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.
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14 | And our desire is that you will keep control over those whose lives are not well ordered, giving comfort to the feeble-hearted, supporting those with little strength, and putting up with much from all.
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15 | Let no one give evil for evil; but ever go after what is good, for one another and for all.
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16 | Have joy at all times.
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17 | Keep on with your prayers.
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18 | In everything give praise: for this is the purpose of God in Christ Jesus for you.
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19 | Do not put out the light of the Spirit;
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20 | Do not make little of the words of the prophets;
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21 | Let all things be tested; keep to what is good;
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22 | Keep from every form of evil.
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23 | And may the God of peace himself make you holy in every way; and may your spirit and soul and body be free from all sin at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
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24 | God, by whom you have been marked out in his purpose, is unchanging and will make it complete.
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25 | Brothers, keep us in mind in your prayers.
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26 | Give all the brothers a holy kiss.
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27 | I give orders in the name of the Lord that all the brothers are to be present at the reading of this letter.
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28 | The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
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