1 Condemning the curious searching for the seasons of Christ’s coming, 6 he warneth them to be ready daily to receive him: 11 And so giveth them sundry good lessons.

But [a]of the times and [b]seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.

For ye yourselves know perfectly, that the day of the Lord shall come, even as a thief in the night.

For when they shall say, Peace and safety, then shall come upon them sudden destruction, as the travail upon a woman with child, and they shall not escape.

[c]But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day shall come on you, as it were a thief.

Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, neither of darkness.

Therefore let us not sleep as do others, but let us watch and be sober.

For they that sleep, sleep in the night, and they that be drunken, are drunken in the night.

[d]But let us which are of the day, be sober, (A)putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and the hope of salvation for an helmet.

[e]For God hath not appointed us unto wrath, but to obtain salvation by the means of our Lord Jesus Christ.

10 [f]Which died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.

11 [g]Wherefore exhort one another, and edify one another, even as ye do.

12 [h]Now we beseech you brethren, that ye [i]acknowledge them which labor among you, and are over you in the [j]Lord, and admonish you.

13 That ye have them in singular love for [k]their work’s sake. [l]Be at peace among yourselves.

14 [m]We desire you, brethren, admonish them that are [n]out of order: comfort the feebleminded: bear with the weak: be patient toward all men.

15 (B)[o]See that none recompense evil for evil unto any man: but ever follow that which is good, both toward yourselves, and toward all men.

16 [p]Rejoice evermore.

17 (C)Pray continually.

18 In all things, give thanks, for this is the [q]will of God in Christ Jesus toward you.

19 [r]Quench not the Spirit.

20 Despise not [s]prophesying.

21 Try all things, and keep that which is good.

22 [t]Abstain from all [u]appearance of evil.

23 Now the very God of peace [v]sanctify you throughout: and I pray God that your whole spirit and soul and body, may be kept blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

24 (D)[w][x]Faithful is he which calleth you, which will also [y]do it.

25 [z]Brethren, pray for us.

26 Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss.

27 I charge you in the Lord, that this Epistle be read unto all the brethren the Saints.

28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you, Amen.

¶ The first Epistle unto the Thessalonians written from Athens.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Thessalonians 5:1 The day that God hath appointed for his judgment, we know not. But this is sure that it shall come upon men when they look for nothing less.
  2. 1 Thessalonians 5:1 See Acts 1:7.
  3. 1 Thessalonians 5:4 Returning to exhortations he warneth us which are lightened with the knowledge of God, that it is our duty not to live securely in deliciousness, lest we be suddenly taken in a dead sleep in pleasures, but contrarywise to have an eye to the Lord, and not suffer ourselves to be oppressed with the cares of this world, for that is meet for the darkness of the night, and this for the light.
  4. 1 Thessalonians 5:8 We must fight with faith and hope, much less ought we lie carelessly snorting.
  5. 1 Thessalonians 5:9 He pricketh us forward by seeing most certain hope of victory before us.
  6. 1 Thessalonians 5:10 The death of Christ is a pledge of our victory, for therefore he died, that we might be partakers of his life or virtue, yea even while we live here.
  7. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 We must not only watch ourselves, but we are also bound to stir up and to confirm one another.
  8. 1 Thessalonians 5:12 We must have great consideration of them which are appointed to the ministry of the word, and government of the Church by God, and do their duty.
  9. 1 Thessalonians 5:12 That you acknowledge and take them for such as they are, that is to say, men worthy to be greatly accounted of among you.
  10. 1 Thessalonians 5:12 In those things which pertain to God’s service: so is the Ecclesiastical function distinguished from civil authority, and true shepherds from wolves.
  11. 1 Thessalonians 5:13 So then, where this cause ceaseth, there must the honor cease.
  12. 1 Thessalonians 5:13 This maintenance of mutual concord, is especially to be looked unto.
  13. 1 Thessalonians 5:14 We must have consideration of every man, and as the disease is, so must the remedy be used.
  14. 1 Thessalonians 5:14 That keep not their rank or standing.
  15. 1 Thessalonians 5:15 Charity ought not to be overcome with any injuries.
  16. 1 Thessalonians 5:16 A quiet and appeased mind, is nourisheth with continual prayers, respecting the will of God.
  17. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 An acceptable thing to God and such as he liketh well of.
  18. 1 Thessalonians 5:19 The sparks of the Spirit of God that are kindled in us, are nourished by daily hearing the word of God: but true doctrine must be diligently distinguished from false.
  19. 1 Thessalonians 5:20 The expounding of the word of God.
  20. 1 Thessalonians 5:22 A general conclusion, that we waiting for the coming of Christ, do give ourselves to pureness both in mind, will, and body, through the grace and strength of the Spirit of God.
  21. 1 Thessalonians 5:22 Whatsoever hath but the very show of evil, abstain from it.
  22. 1 Thessalonians 5:23 Separate you from the world, and make you holy to himself through his spirit, in Christ in whom only you shall attain unto that true peace.
  23. 1 Thessalonians 5:24 The good will and power of God is a sure confirmation against all difficulties, whereof we have a sure witness in our vocation.
  24. 1 Thessalonians 5:24 Always one and ever like himself, who performeth in deed whatsoever he promiseth: and an effectual calling is nothing else but a right declaring and true setting forth of God’s will: and therefore the salvation of the elect is safe and sure.
  25. 1 Thessalonians 5:24 Who will also make you perfect.
  26. 1 Thessalonians 5:25 The last part of the Epistle, wherein with most weighty charge, he commendeth both himself and this Epistle unto them.

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