The day of the Lord will come like a thief, so believers are to be sober, awake and clothed in faith, love and hope. Paul gives brief commands: rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in everything, and hold fast what is good.
1 But of the times and the seasons , brethren , ye have no need that I write unto you .
2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night .
3 For when they shall say , Peace and safety ; then sudden destruction cometh upon them , as travail upon a woman with child ; and they shall not escape .
4 But ye , brethren , are not in darkness , that that day should overtake you as a thief .
5 Ye are all the children of light , and the children of the day : we are not of the night , nor of darkness .
6 Therefore let us not sleep , as do others ; but let us watch and be sober .
7 For they that sleep sleep in the night ; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night .
8 But let us , who are of the day , be sober , putting on the breastplate of faith and love ; and for an helmet , the hope of salvation .
9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath , but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ ,
10 Who died for us , that , whether we wake or sleep , we should live together with him .
11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together , and edify one another , even as also ye do .
12 And we beseech you , brethren , to know them which labour among you , and are over you in the Lord , and admonish you ;
13 And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake . And be at peace among yourselves .
14 Now we exhort you , brethren , warn them that are unruly , comfort the feebleminded , support the weak , be patient toward all men.
15 See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good , both among yourselves , and to all men.
18 In every thing give thanks : for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you .
20 Despise not prophesyings .
21 Prove all things ; hold fast that which is good .
22 Abstain from all appearance of evil .
23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly ; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ .
24 Faithful is he that calleth you , who also will do it.
26 Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss .
27 I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren .
28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you . Amen . The first epistle to the Thessalonians was written from Athens .