¶ But of the times¹ and the seasons, brethren, ye² have no need that I write unto you.

For yourselves know³ perfectly that the day⁴ of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.

For when they shall say, Peace⁵ and safety; then⁶ sudden destruction cometh upon them, as⁷ travail upon a woman with child; and they⁸ shall not escape.

But ye, brethren, are⁹ not in darkness, that that day should overtake¹⁰ you as a thief.

¹¹Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.

¶ Therefore let us not¹² sleep, as do others; but let us watch¹³ and be sober¹⁴.

For they that sleep¹⁵ sleep in the night; and they¹⁶ that be drunken are drunken in the night.

But let us, who¹⁷ are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate¹⁸ of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope¹⁹ of salvation.

For God hath not²⁰ appointed us to wrath, but to obtain²¹ salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

¶ Who died²² for us, that, whether²³ we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.

¶ Wherefore²⁴ comfort²⁵ yourselves together, and edify²⁶ one another, even²⁷ as also ye do.

And we beseech you, brethren, to know²⁸ them which labour²⁹ among you, and are³⁰ over you in the Lord, and admonish³¹ you;

And to esteem³² them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be³³ at peace among yourselves.

Now we exhort³⁴ you³⁵, brethren, warn³⁶ them that³⁷ are unruly³⁸, comfort³⁹ the feebleminded, support⁴⁰ the weak, be⁴¹ patient toward all men.

See⁴² that none⁴³ render evil for evil unto any man; but ever⁴⁴ follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and⁴⁵ to all men.

¶ Rejoice⁴⁶ evermore.

Pray⁴⁷ without ceasing.

In every⁴⁸ thing give thanks: for⁴⁹ this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Quench⁵⁰ not the Spirit⁵¹.

¶⁵²Despise not prophesyings.

Prove⁵³ all things; hold⁵⁴ fast that which is good.

⁵⁵Abstain from all appearance of evil.

¶ And the very God⁵⁶ of peace sanctify⁵⁷ you wholly; and I pray God your⁵⁸ whole spirit and soul and body be preserved⁵⁹ blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Faithful⁶⁰ is he that calleth⁶¹ you, who⁶² also will do it.

⁶³Brethren, pray for us.

Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss.

I charge⁶⁵ you by the Lord that⁶⁶ this epistle be read unto all the holy⁶⁷ brethren.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. The first epistle to the Thessalonians was written from Athens.]