| New Living Translation | Berean Study Bible |
| 1Now concerning how and when all this will happen, dear brothers and sisters, we don’t really need to write you. | 1Now about the times and seasons, brothers, we do not need to write to you. |
| 2For you know quite well that the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night. | 2For you are fully aware that the Day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. |
| 3When people are saying, “Everything is peaceful and secure,” then disaster will fall on them as suddenly as a pregnant woman’s labor pains begin. And there will be no escape. | 3While people are saying, “Peace and security,” destruction will come upon them suddenly, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. |
| 4But you aren’t in the dark about these things, dear brothers and sisters, and you won’t be surprised when the day of the Lord comes like a thief. | 4But you, brothers, are not in the darkness so that this day should overtake you like a thief. |
| 5For you are all children of the light and of the day; we don’t belong to darkness and night. | 5For you are all sons of the light and sons of the day; we do not belong to the night or to the darkness. |
| 6So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded. | 6So then, let us not sleep as the others do, but let us remain awake and sober. |
| 7Night is the time when people sleep and drinkers get drunk. | 7For those who sleep, sleep at night; and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. |
| 8But let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation. | 8But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and the helmet of our hope of salvation. |
| 9For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us. | 9For God has not appointed us to suffer wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. |
| 10Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever. | 10He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with Him. |
| 11So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing. Paul’s Final Advice | 11Therefore encourage and build one another up, just as you are already doing. |
| 12Dear brothers and sisters, honor those who are your leaders in the Lord’s work. They work hard among you and give you spiritual guidance. | 12But we ask you, brothers, to acknowledge those who work diligently among you, who preside over you in the Lord and give you instruction. |
| 13Show them great respect and wholehearted love because of their work. And live peacefully with each other. | 13In love, hold them in highest regard because of their work. Live in peace with one another. |
| 14Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone. | 14And we urge you, brothers, to admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, and be patient with everyone. |
| 15See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people. | 15Make sure that no one repays evil for evil. Always pursue what is good for one another and for all people. |
| 16Always be joyful. | 16Rejoice at all times. |
| 17Never stop praying. | 17Pray without ceasing. |
| 18Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. | 18Give thanks in every circumstance, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. |
| 19Do not stifle the Holy Spirit. | 19Do not extinguish the Spirit. |
| 20Do not scoff at prophecies, | 20Do not treat prophecies with contempt, |
| 21but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. | 21but test all things. Hold fast to what is good. |
| 22Stay away from every kind of evil. Paul’s Final Greetings | 22Abstain from every form of evil. |
| 23Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. | 23Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely, and may your entire spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. |
| 24God will make this happen, for he who calls you is faithful. | 24The One who calls you is faithful, and He will do it. |
| 25Dear brothers and sisters, pray for us. | 25Brothers, pray for us as well. |
| 26Greet all the brothers and sisters with a sacred kiss. | 26Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss. |
| 27I command you in the name of the Lord to read this letter to all the brothers and sisters. | 27I charge you before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers. |
| 28May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. | 28The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. |
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