| 5:1 | BUT as far as times and seasons go, my brothers, you don't need written instructions. |
| 5:2 | You are well aware that the day of the Lord will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night. |
| 5:3 | When men are saying "Peace and security", catastrophe will sweep down upon them as suddenly and inescapably as birthpangs to a pregnant woman. |
| 5:4 | But because you, my brothers, are not living in darkness the day cannot take you by surprise, like a burglar! |
| 5:5 | You are all sons of light, sons of the day, and none of us belongs to darkness or the night, |
| 5:6 | Let us then never fall asleep, like the rest of the world: let us keep awake, with our wits about us. |
| 5:7 | Night is the time for sleep and the time when men get drunk, |
| 5:8 | but we men of the daylight should be sober, with faith and love as our breastplate and the hope of our salvation as our helmet. |
| 5:9 | For God did not choose us to condemn us, but that we might secure his salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord. |
| 5:10 | He died for us, so that whether we are "awake" or "asleep" we share our life with him. |
| 5:11 | So go on cheering and strengthening each other, as I have no doubt you are doing. |
| 5:12 | We ask you too, my brothers, to recognise those who work so hard among you. They are your leaders in the Lord, to give you good advice. |
| 5:13 | Because of this task of theirs, hold them in respect and affection. Live together in peace, brothers, and |
| 5:14 | we appeal to you to warn the unruly, encourage the timid, help the weak and be very patient with all men. |
| 5:15 | Be sure that no one repays a bad turn with a bad turn; good should be your objective always, among yourselves and in the world at large. |
| 5:16 | Be happy in your faith at all times. |
| 5:17 | Never stop praying. |
| 5:18 | Be thankful, whatever the circumstances may be. For this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus. |
| 5:19 | Never damp the fire of the Spirit, and |
| 5:20 | never despise what is spoken in the name of the Lord. |
| 5:21 | By all means use your judgment, and hold on to whatever is good. |
| 5:22 | Steer clear of evil in any form. |
| 5:23 | May the God of peace make you holy through and through. May you be kept sound in spirit, mind and body, blameless until the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. |
| 5:24 | He who calls you is utterly faithful and he will finish what he has set out to do. |
| 5:25 | Pray for us, my brothers. |
| 5:26 | Give a handshake all round among the brotherhood. |
| 5:27 | The Lord's command, which I give you now, is that this letter should be read to all the brothers. |
| 5:28 | The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. |
1 Tesalonika 5 - Philips NT in Modern English
