主來的日子
1弟兄姊妹，這件事會在什麼日期、什麼時候發生，不必我寫信告訴你們， 2因為你們已經清楚知道，將來有一天，主會突然來到，像賊在夜裡忽然出現一樣。 3當人們正在說一切平安穩妥的時候，災禍會像產痛臨到孕婦一樣突然臨到他們，令他們無法逃脫。
4然而，弟兄姊妹，你們不是活在黑暗裡，因此那日子不會像賊一樣突然臨到你們。 5你們都是光明之子，白晝之子。我們既不屬於黑夜，也不屬於黑暗。 6所以不要像其他人一樣沉睡，要警醒戒備， 7因為睡覺的人是在夜裡睡，醉酒的人是在夜裡醉。 8我們既屬於白晝，就應當保持清醒，要把信心和愛心當作護心鏡遮胸，把得救的盼望當作頭盔戴上。 9因為上帝不是預定我們受懲罰，而是預定我們靠著主耶穌基督得救。 10主替我們死，使我們無論是醒是睡5·10 「是醒是睡」或譯「是生是死」。，都可以與祂同活。 11所以，你們要彼此鼓勵、互相造就，正如你們一向所做的。
勸勉與問候
12弟兄姊妹，我勸你們要敬重那些在你們當中辛勤工作、在主裡領導和勸誡你們的人。 13因為他們的工作，你們要懷著愛心格外敬重他們。你們要彼此和睦相處。 14此外，我勸你們要告誡懶惰的人，鼓勵灰心的人，扶持軟弱的人，耐心對待所有的人。 15你們要小心，誰都不可冤冤相報，總要彼此善待，也要善待眾人。
16要常常喜樂， 17不斷地禱告， 18凡事謝恩，因為這是上帝在基督耶穌裡給你們的旨意。
19不要抑制聖靈的感動， 20不要輕視先知的信息。 21凡事都要小心察驗，持守良善的事， 22杜絕所有的惡事。
23願賜平安的上帝使你們完全聖潔！願祂保守你們的靈、魂、體，使你們在主耶穌基督再來的時候無可指責！ 24呼召你們的主是信實可靠的，祂必為你們成就這事。
25弟兄姊妹，請為我們禱告。 26要以聖潔的吻問候眾弟兄姊妹。 27最後，我奉主的名吩咐你們把這封信讀給所有弟兄姊妹聽。
28願我們主耶穌基督的恩典與你們同在！
1But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. 2For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. 3For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. 4But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. 5Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. 6Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. 7For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. 8But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. 9For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, 10Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. 11Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
12And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; 13And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves. 14Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. 15See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men. 16Rejoice evermore. 17Pray without ceasing. 18In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 19Quench not the Spirit. 20Despise not prophesyings. 21Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. 22Abstain from all appearance of evil. 23And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it. 25Brethren, pray for us.
26Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss. 27I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren. 28The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
