05:01 .. now as to the times and the epochs .. brethren .. you have no need of anything to be written to you 05:02 .. for you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night
05:03 .. while they are saying .. peace and safety .. then destruction will come upon them suddenly like ......... labor pains upon a woman with child .. and they will not escape
05:04 .. but you brethren .. are not in darkness .. that the day would overtake you like a thief 05:05 .. for you are all sons of light and sons of day .. we are not of night nor of darkness 05:06 .. so then let us not sleep as others do .. but let us be alert and sober 05:07 .. for those who sleep do their sleeping at night .. and those who get drunk get drunk at night 05:08 .. but since we are of the day .. let us be sober .. having put on the breastplate of faith and love .. ......... and as a helmet .. the hope of salvation 05:09 .. for God has not destined us for wrath .. but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ 05:10 .. who died for us .. so that whether we are awake or asleep .. we will live together with him 05:11 .. therefore encourage one another and build up one another .. just as you also are doing
.................. Christian conduct
05:12 .. but we request of you .. brethren .. that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you .. ......... and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction 05:13 .. and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work .. live in peace with one another
05:14 .. we urge you .. brethren .. admonish the unruly .. encourage the fainthearted .. help the weak .. be patient with everyone
05:15 .. see that no one repays another with evil for evil .. but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people 05:16 .. rejoice always
05:17 .. pray without ceasing
05:18 .. in everything give thanks .. for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus
05:19 .. do not quench the Spirit
05:20 .. do not despise prophetic utterances
05:21 .. but examine everything carefully .. hold fast to that which is good 05:22 .. abstain from every form of evil
05:23 .. now may the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely .. and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete .. ......... without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ 05:24 .. faithful is he who calls you .. and he also will bring it to pass
05:25 .. brethren .. pray for us 05:26 .. greet all the brethren with a holy kiss 05:27 .. I adjure you by the Lord to have this letter read to all the brethren 05:28 .. the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you
Let Christians live like men who are awake .. living in constant expectation of Christ’s return .. and having all natural desires under Christ’s control .. Christ’s coming will be sudden .. overtaking many who are in the midst of their carnal security .. and jollity .. and bringing them destruction from which there will be no escape . . . . v 2 as the thief usually comes in the dead of the night .. so the coming of Christ will surprise the ungodly .. It is the happy condition .. however .. of those who believe God’s Word .. that they live in momentary expectation of his return .. and whether times be troublesome or peaceful .. they cannot be surprised if he should come