| New King James Version | Holman Christian Standard Bible |
| 1But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. | 1About the times and the seasons: Brothers, you do not need anything to be written to you. |
| 2For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. | 2For you yourselves know very well that the Day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night. |
| 3For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. | 3When they say, "Peace and security," then sudden destruction comes on them, like labor pains come on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. |
| 4But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. | 4But you, brothers, are not in the dark, for this day to overtake you like a thief. |
| 5You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. | 5For you are all sons of light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or the darkness. |
| 6Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. | 6So then, we must not sleep, like the rest, but we must stay awake and be serious. |
| 7For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. | 7For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. |
| 8But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. | 8But since we belong to the day, we must be serious and put the armor of faith and love on our chests, and put on a helmet of the hope of salvation. |
| 9For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, | 9For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, |
| 10who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. | 10who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him. |
| 11Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing. | 11Therefore encourage one another and build each other up as you are already doing. |
| 12And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, | 12Now we ask you, brothers, to give recognition to those who labor among you and lead you in the Lord and admonish you, |
| 13and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves. | 13and to regard them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. |
| 14Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. | 14And we exhort you, brothers: warn those who are irresponsible, comfort the discouraged, help the weak, be patient with everyone. |
| 15See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all. | 15See to it that no one repays evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good for one another and for all. |
| 16Rejoice always, | 16Rejoice always! |
| 17pray without ceasing, | 17Pray constantly. |
| 18in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. | 18Give thanks in everything, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. |
| 19Do not quench the Spirit. | 19Don't stifle the Spirit. |
| 20Do not despise prophecies. | 20Don't despise prophecies, |
| 21Test all things; hold fast what is good. | 21but test all things. Hold on to what is good. |
| 22Abstain from every form of evil. | 22Stay away from every kind of evil. |
| 23Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. | 23Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely. And may your spirit, soul, and body be kept sound and blameless for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. |
| 24He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it. | 24He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it. |
| 25Brethren, pray for us. | 25Brothers, pray for us also. |
| 26Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss. | 26Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss. |
| 27I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read to all the holy brethren. | 27I charge you by the Lord that this letter be read to all the brothers. |
| 28The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. | 28The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. |
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