1 A nd concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need of my writing to you,

2 f or yourselves have known thoroughly that the day of the Lord as a thief in the night doth so come,

3 f or when they may say, Peace and surety, then sudden destruction doth stand by them, as the travail her who is with child, and they shall not escape;

4 a nd ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day may catch you as a thief;

5 a ll ye are sons of light, and sons of day; we are not of night, nor of darkness,

6 s o, then, we may not sleep as also the others, but watch and be sober,

7 f or those sleeping, by night do sleep, and those making themselves drunk, by night are drunken,

8 a nd we, being of the day -- let us be sober, putting on a breastplate of faith and love, and an helmet -- a hope of salvation,

9 b ecause God did not appoint us to anger, but to the acquiring of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,

10 w ho did die for us, that whether we wake -- whether we sleep -- together with him we may live;

11 w herefore, comfort ye one another, and build ye up, one the one, as also ye do.

12 A nd we ask you, brethren, to know those labouring among you, and leading you in the Lord, and admonishing you,

13 a nd to esteem them very abundantly in love, because of their work; be at peace among yourselves;

14 a nd we exhort you, brethren, admonish the disorderly, comfort the feeble-minded, support the infirm, be patient unto all;

15 s ee no one evil for evil may render to any one, but always that which is good pursue ye, both to one another and to all;

16 a lways rejoice ye;

17 c ontinually pray ye;

18 i n every thing give thanks, for this the will of God in Christ Jesus in regard to you.

19 T he Spirit quench not;

20 p rophesyings despise not;

21 a ll things prove; that which is good hold fast;

22 f rom all appearance of evil abstain ye;

23 a nd the God of the peace Himself sanctify you wholly, and may your whole spirit, and soul, and body, be preserved unblameably in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ;

24 s tedfast is He who is calling you, who also will do.

25 B rethren, pray for us;

26 s alute all the brethren in an holy kiss;

27 I charge you the Lord, that the letter be read to all the holy brethren;

28 t he grace of our Lord Jesus Christ with you! Amen.