| King James Bible | New International Version |
| 1But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. | 1Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, |
| 2For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. | 2for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. |
| 3For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. | 3While people are saying, "Peace and safety," destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. |
| 4But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. | 4But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. |
| 5Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. | 5You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. |
| 6Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. | 6So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober. |
| 7For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. | 7For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. |
| 8But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. | 8But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. |
| 9For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, | 9For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. |
| 10Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. | 10He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. |
| 11Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do. | 11Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. |
| 12And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; | 12Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. |
| 13And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves. | 13Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. |
| 14Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. | 14And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. |
| 15See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men. | 15Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else. |
| 16Rejoice evermore. | 16Rejoice always, |
| 17Pray without ceasing. | 17pray continually, |
| 18In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. | 18give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. |
| 19Quench not the Spirit. | 19Do not quench the Spirit. |
| 20Despise not prophesyings. | 20Do not treat prophecies with contempt |
| 21Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. | 21but test them all; hold on to what is good, |
| 22Abstain from all appearance of evil. | 22reject every kind of evil. |
| 23And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. | 23May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. |
| 24Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it. | 24The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it. |
| 25Brethren, pray for us. | 25Brothers and sisters, pray for us. |
| 26Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss. | 26Greet all God's people with a holy kiss. |
| 27I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren. | 27I charge you before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers and sisters. |
| 28The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. | 28The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. |
|
