⁵ Now on the topic of times and seasons, brothers and sisters, you have no need for anything to be written to you. ² For you know quite well that the day of the Lord will come in the same way as a thief in the night. ³ Now when they are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction comes on them, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will surely not escape. ⁴ But you, brothers and sisters, are not in the darkness for the day to overtake you like a thief would. ⁵ For you all are sons of the light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of the darkness. ⁶ So then we must not sleep as the rest, but must stay alert and sober. ⁷ For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. ⁸ But since we are of the day, we must stay sober by putting on the breastplate of faith and love and as a helmet our hope for salvation. ⁹ For God did not destine us for wrath but for gaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. ¹⁰ He died for us so that whether we are alert or asleep, we will come to life together with him. ¹¹ Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, just as you are in fact doing.

¹² Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who labor among you and preside over you in the Lord and admonish you, ¹³ and to esteem them most highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. ¹⁴ And we urge you, brothers and sisters, admonish the undisciplined, comfort the discouraged, help the weak, be patient toward all. ¹⁵ See that no one pays back evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good for one another and for all. ¹⁶ Always rejoice, ¹⁷ constantly pray, ¹⁸ in everything give thanks. For this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. ¹⁹ Do not extinguish the Spirit. ²⁰ Do not treat prophecies with contempt. ²¹ But examine all things; hold fast to what is good. ²² Stay away from every form of evil.

²³ Now may the God of peace himself make you completely holy and may your spirit and soul and body be kept entirely blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁴ He who calls you is trustworthy, and he will in fact do this. ²⁵ Brothers and sisters, pray for us too. ²⁶ Greet all the brothers and sisters with a holy kiss. ²⁷ I call on you solemnly in the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers and sisters. ²⁸ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

¹⁷ A prayer of David.

Lord, consider my just cause.

Pay attention to my cry for help.

Listen to the prayer

I sincerely offer.

² Make a just decision on my behalf.

Decide what is right.

³ You have scrutinized my inner motives;

you have examined me during the night.

You have carefully evaluated me, but you find no sin.

I am determined I will say nothing sinful.

⁴ As for the actions of people—

just as you have commanded,

I have not followed in the footsteps of violent men.

⁵ I carefully obey your commands;

I do not deviate from them.

⁶ I call to you because you will answer me, O God.

Listen to me!

Hear what I say!

⁷ Accomplish awesome, faithful deeds,

you who powerfully deliver those who look to you for protection from their enemies.

⁸ Protect me as you would protect the pupil of your eye.

Hide me in the shadow of your wings.

⁹ Protect me from the wicked men who attack me,

my enemies who crowd around me for the kill.

¹⁰ They are calloused;

they speak arrogantly.

¹¹ They attack me, now they surround me;

they intend to throw me to the ground.

¹² He is like a lion that wants to tear its prey to bits,

like a young lion crouching in hidden places.

¹³ Rise up, Lord!

Confront him. Knock him down.

Use your sword to rescue me from the wicked man.

¹⁴ Lord, use your power to deliver me from these murderers,

from the murderers of this world.

They enjoy prosperity;

you overwhelm them with the riches they desire.

They have many children,

and leave their wealth to their offspring.

¹⁵ As for me, because I am innocent I will see your face;

when I awake you will reveal yourself to me.