NOW concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need
that I should write to you: (2)for yourselves know precisely that the
day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. (3)For when they
say, Peace and safety, then sudden destruction rusheth upon them, as
travail on a woman with child, and they shall in no wise escape. (4)But
ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day should overtake you as
a thief. (5)Ye are all the children of light, and the children of day:
we are not the children of night, nor of darkness. (6)Let us not then
sleep as do others; but let us watch and be sober. (7)For they who
sleep, sleep in the night, and they who are drunken, are drunken in the
night; (8)but let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the
breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.
(9)For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation
through our Lord Jesus Christ, (10)who died for us, that whether we
sleep, or whether we wake, we may live together with him. (11)Wherefore
comfort one another, and edify one another, as also ye do.
(12)Now we entreat you, brethren, to know those who labour among you,
and preside over you in the Lord, and admonish you; (13)and to account
of them very highly in love for their work's sake. And live in peace
among yourselves.
(14)Now we conjure you, brethren, admonish the unruly, comfort the
feeble-minded, support the infirm, be patient with all men. (15)See
that no man return evil for evil to any man; but always pursue that
which is good, both towards one another, and towards all men.
(16)Rejoice evermore. (17)Pray without ceasing. (18)In every thing give
thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus to you-wards.
(19)Quench not the Spirit. (20)Despise not prophesyings. (21)Prove all
things; hold fast that which is good. (22)Abstain from all appearance
of evil.
(23)Now the God of peace himself sanctify you wholly; and may your
whole spirit, and soul, and body be preserved faultless unto the coming
of our Lord Jesus Christ. (24)Faithful is he that calleth you, who also
will do it.
(25)Brethren, pray for us. (26)Salute all the brethren with an holy
kiss.
(27)I conjure you by the Lord, that this epistle be read to all the
holy brethren.
(28)The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
The first epistle to the Thessalonians was written from Athens.