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But concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need that anything be written to you.
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For you yourselves know well that the day of the Lord comes like a thief in the night.
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For when they are saying, “Peace and safety,” then sudden destruction will come on them, like birth pains on a pregnant woman. Then they will in no way escape.
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But you, brothers, aren’t in darkness, that the day should overtake you like a thief.
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You are all children of light and children of the day. We don’t belong to the night, nor to darkness,
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so then let’s not sleep, as the rest do, but let’s watch and be sober.
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For those who sleep, sleep in the night; and those who are drunk are drunk in the night.
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But since we belong to the day, let’s be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet, the hope of salvation.
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For God didn’t appoint us to wrath, but to the obtaining of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,
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who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.
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Therefore exhort one another, and build each other up, even as you also do.
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But we beg you, brothers, to know those who labour amongst you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you,
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and to respect and honour them in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace amongst yourselves.
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We exhort you, brothers: Admonish the disorderly; encourage the faint-hearted; support the weak; be patient towards all.
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See that no one returns evil for evil to anyone, but always follow after that which is good for one another and for all.
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Always rejoice.
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Pray without ceasing.
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In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus towards you.
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Don’t quench the Spirit.
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Don’t despise prophecies.
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Test all things, and hold firmly that which is good.
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Abstain from every form of evil.
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May the God of peace himself sanctify you completely. May your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
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He who calls you is faithful, who will also do it.
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Brothers, pray for us.
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Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss.
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I solemnly command you by the Lord that this letter be read to all the holy brothers.
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The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.