5

The Day of the Lord

1But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. 2For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. 3For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. 4But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. 5You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. 6Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. 7For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. 8But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. 9For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.
11Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.

Various Exhortations

12And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor 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. Be at peace among yourselves.
14Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. 15See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.
16Rejoice always, 17pray without ceasing, 18in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
19Do not quench the Spirit. 20Do not despise prophecies. 21Test all things; hold fast what is good. 22Abstain from every form of evil.

Blessing and Admonition

23Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24He who calls you isfaithful, who also will do it.
25Brethren, pray for us.
26Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss.
27I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read to all the holy brethren.
28The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

5

1弟兄們,關於那時候和日期,不用人寫信給你們, 2因為你們自己明明知道,主的日子來到會像賊在夜間突然來到一樣。 3人正說平安穩定的時候,災禍忽然臨到他們,如同陣痛臨到懷胎的婦人一樣,他們絕逃脫不了。 4弟兄們,你們並不在黑暗裏,那日子不會像賊一樣臨到你們。 5你們都是光明之子,都是白晝之子;我們不屬黑夜,也不屬幽暗。 6所以,我們不要沉睡,像別人一樣,總要警醒謹慎。 7因為睡了的人是在夜間睡,醉了的人是在夜間醉。 8但既然我們屬於白晝,就應當謹慎,把信和愛當作護心鏡遮胸,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,而是預定我們藉着我們的主耶穌基督得救。 10他替我們死,讓我們無論醒着、睡着,都與他同活。 11所以,你們該彼此勸勉,互相造就,正如你們素常做的。

最後的勸勉與祝福

12弟兄們,我們勸你們要敬重那些在你們中間勞苦的,就是在主裏面督導你們、勸戒你們的人。 13又因他們所做的工作,要以愛心格外尊重他們。你們也要彼此和睦。 14弟兄們,我們勸你們,要警戒不守規矩的人,勉勵灰心的人,扶助軟弱的人,對眾人要有耐心。 15你們要謹慎,無論是誰都不要以惡報惡,彼此間和對眾人都要追求做好事。
16要常常喜樂, 17不住地禱告, 18凡事謝恩,因為這是上帝在基督耶穌裏向你們所定的旨意。 19不要熄滅聖靈; 20不要藐視先知的講論。 21但凡事要察驗:美善的事要持守, 22各樣惡事要禁戒。
23願賜平安的上帝親自使你們完全成聖!願你們的靈、魂、體得蒙保守,在我們的主耶穌基督來臨的時候,完全無可指責。 24那召你們的本是信實的,他必成就這事。
25弟兄們,請也為我們禱告。
26用聖潔的吻向眾弟兄問安。 27我指着主囑咐你們,要把這信宣讀給眾弟兄聽。
28願我們的主耶穌基督的恩惠與你們同在!