The Day of the Lord
(Zephaniah 1:7–18; Malachi 4:1–6; 2 Peter 3:8–13)

1But concerning dates and times, brothers, you do not need us to write to you. 2For you yourselves thoroughly understand that the day of the Lord shall arrive much like a thief in the night. 3For when they will say, “Peace and security!” then destruction will suddenly overwhelm them, like the labor pains of a woman with child, and they will not escape. 4But you, brothers, are not in darkness, so that you would be overtaken by that day as by a thief. 5For all of you are sons of light and sons of daytime; we are not of nighttime, nor of darkness. 6Therefore, let us not sleep, as the rest do. Instead, we should be vigilant and sober. 7For those who sleep, sleep in the night; and those who are inebriated, are inebriated in the night. 8But we, who are of the daylight, should be sober, being clothed with the breastplate of faith and of charity and having, as a helmet, the hope of salvation. 9For God has not appointed us for wrath, but for the acquisition of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10who died for us, so that, whether we watch, or whether we sleep, we may live in union with him. 11Because of this, console one another and build up one another, just as you are doing.

Christian Living

12And we ask you, brothers, to recognize those who labor among you, and who preside over you in the Lord, and who admonish you, 13so that you may consider them with an abundance of charity, for the sake of their work. Be at peace with them. 14And we ask you, brothers: correct the disruptive, console the weak-minded, support the sick, be patient with everyone. 15See to it that no one repays evil for evil to anyone. Instead, always pursue whatever is good, with one another and with all. 16Rejoice always. 17Pray without ceasing. 18Give thanks in everything. For this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for all of you. 19Do not choose to extinguish the Spirit. 20Do not spurn prophecies. 21But test all things. Hold on to whatever is good. 22Abstain from every kind of evil.

Final Blessings and Instructions

23And may the God of peace himself sanctify you through all things, so that your whole spirit and soul and body may be preserved without blame unto the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24He who has called you is faithful. He shall act even now.

25Brothers, pray for us.

26Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss. 27I bind you, through the Lord, that this epistle is to be read to all the holy brothers.

28May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.