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1 Thessalonians 5
New King James Version

### The Day of the Lord

5 But concerning (A)the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. 2 For you yourselves know perfectly that (B)the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. 3 For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then (C)sudden destruction comes upon them, (D)as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. 4 (E)But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. 5 You are all (F)sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. 6 (G)Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but (H)let us watch and be [a]sober. 7 For (I)those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk (J)are drunk at night. 8 But let us who are of the day be sober, (K)putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. 9 For (L)God did not appoint us to wrath, (M)but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 (N)who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.

11 Therefore [b]comfort each other and [c]edify one another, just as you also are doing.

### Various Exhortations

12 And we urge you, brethren, (O)to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and [d]admonish you, 13 and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. (P)Be at peace among yourselves.

14 Now we [e]exhort you, brethren, (Q)warn those who are [f]unruly, (R)comfort the fainthearted, (S)uphold the weak, (T)be patient with all. 15 (U)See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always (V)pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.

16 (W)Rejoice always, 17 (X)pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

19 (Y)Do not quench the Spirit. 20 (Z)Do not despise prophecies. 21 (AA)Test all things; (AB)hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil.

### Blessing and Admonition

23 Now may (AC)the God of peace Himself (AD)sanctify[g] you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body (AE)be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you is (AF)faithful, who also will (AG)do it.

25 Brethren, pray for us.

26 Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss.

27 I charge you by the Lord that this [h]epistle be read to all the [i]holy brethren.

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

#### Footnotes

1. 1 Thessalonians 5:6 self-controlled
2. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 Or encourage
3. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 build one another up
4. 1 Thessalonians 5:12 instruct or warn
5. 1 Thessalonians 5:14 encourage
6. 1 Thessalonians 5:14 insubordinate or idle
7. 1 Thessalonians 5:23 set you apart
8. 1 Thessalonians 5:27 letter
9. 1 Thessalonians 5:27 NU omits holy

#### Cross references

1. 1 Thessalonians 5:1 : Matt. 24:3
2. 1 Thessalonians 5:2 : Luke 21:34; 1 Thess. 5:4; [2 Pet. 3:10]; Rev. 3:3; 16:15
3. 1 Thessalonians 5:3 : Is. 13:6–9
4. 1 Thessalonians 5:3 : Hos. 13:13
5. 1 Thessalonians 5:4 : [Acts 26:18]; Rom. 13:12; Eph. 5:8; 1 John 2:8
6. 1 Thessalonians 5:5 : Eph. 5:8
7. 1 Thessalonians 5:6 : Matt. 25:5
8. 1 Thessalonians 5:6 : Matt. 25:13; Mark 13:35; [1 Pet. 5:8]
9. 1 Thessalonians 5:7 : [Luke 21:34]
10. 1 Thessalonians 5:7 : Acts 2:15; 2 Pet. 2:13
11. 1 Thessalonians 5:8 : Is. 59:17; Eph. 6:14
12. 1 Thessalonians 5:9 : Rom. 9:22
13. 1 Thessalonians 5:9 : [2 Thess. 2:13]
14. 1 Thessalonians 5:10 : 2 Cor. 5:15
15. 1 Thessalonians 5:12 : 1 Cor. 16:18; 1 Tim. 5:17; Heb. 13:7, 17
16. 1 Thessalonians 5:13 : Mark 9:50
17. 1 Thessalonians 5:14 : 2 Thess. 3:6, 7, 11
18. 1 Thessalonians 5:14 : Heb. 12:12
19. 1 Thessalonians 5:14 : Rom. 14:1; 15:1; 1 Cor. 8:7
20. 1 Thessalonians 5:14 : Gal. 5:22
21. 1 Thessalonians 5:15 : Lev. 19:18
22. 1 Thessalonians 5:15 : Rom. 12:9; Gal. 6:10; 1 Thess. 5:21
23. 1 Thessalonians 5:16 : [2 Cor. 6:10]
24. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 : Eph. 6:18
25. 1 Thessalonians 5:19 : Eph. 4:30
26. 1 Thessalonians 5:20 : Acts 13:1; 1 Cor. 14:1, 31
27. 1 Thessalonians 5:21 : 1 Cor. 14:29; 1 John 4:1
28. 1 Thessalonians 5:21 : Phil. 4:8
29. 1 Thessalonians 5:23 : Phil. 4:9
30. 1 Thessalonians 5:23 : 1 Thess. 3:13
31. 1 Thessalonians 5:23 : 1 Cor. 1:8, 9
32. 1 Thessalonians 5:24 : [1 Cor. 10:13]; 2 Thess. 3:3
33. 1 Thessalonians 5:24 : Phil. 1:6

New King James Version (NKJV)

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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