| 章 |
| 5:1 |
But about the times and their order, my brothers, there is no need for me to say anything to you.
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| 5:2 |
For you yourselves have the knowledge that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.
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| 5:3 |
When they say, There is peace and no danger, then sudden destruction will come on them, as birth-pains on a woman with child; and they will not be able to get away from it.
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| 5:4 |
But you, my brothers, are not in the dark, for that day to overtake you like a thief:
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| 5:5 |
For you are all sons of light and of the day: we are not of the night or of the dark.
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| 5:6 |
So then, let us not take our rest as the others do, but let us be self-controlled and awake.
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| 5:7 |
For those who are sleeping do so in the night; and those who are the worse for drink are so in the night;
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| 5:8 |
But let us, who are of the day, be serious, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and on our heads, the hope of salvation.
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| 5:9 |
For God's purpose for us is not wrath, but salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,
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| 5:10 |
Who was put to death for us, so that, awake or sleeping, we may have a part in his life.
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| 5:11 |
So then, go on comforting and building up one another, as you have been doing.
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| 5:12 |
But we make this request to you, my brothers: give attention to those who are working among you, who are over you in the Lord to keep order among you;
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| 5:13 |
And have a high opinion of them in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.
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| 5:14 |
And our desire is that you will keep control over those whose lives are not well ordered, giving comfort to the feeble-hearted, supporting those with little strength, and putting up with much from all.
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| 5:15 |
Let no one give evil for evil; but ever go after what is good, for one another and for all.
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| 5:16 |
Have joy at all times.
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| 5:17 |
Keep on with your prayers.
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| 5:18 |
In everything give praise: for this is the purpose of God in Christ Jesus for you.
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| 5:19 |
Do not put out the light of the Spirit;
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| 5:20 |
Do not make little of the words of the prophets;
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| 5:21 |
Let all things be tested; keep to what is good;
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| 5:22 |
Keep from every form of evil.
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| 5:23 |
And may the God of peace himself make you holy in every way; and may your spirit and soul and body be free from all sin at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
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| 5:24 |
God, by whom you have been marked out in his purpose, is unchanging and will make it complete.
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| 5:25 |
Brothers, keep us in mind in your prayers.
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| 5:26 |
Give all the brothers a holy kiss.
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| 5:27 |
I give orders in the name of the Lord that all the brothers are to be present at the reading of this letter.
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| 5:28 |
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
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