The Day of the Lord
1 Now concerning the ftimes and the seasons, brothers,1 gyou have no need to have anything written to you. 2 For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come hlike a thief in the night. 3 While people are isaying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 4 But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. 5 For you are all jchildren2 of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. 6 So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us kkeep awake and lbe sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night. 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having mput on the nbreastplate of ofaith and love, and for a phelmet the hope of salvation. 9 For God has not destined us for qwrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. 11 rTherefore encourage one another and sbuild one another up, just as you are doing.
Final Instructions and Benediction
12 We ask you, brothers, to trespect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, 13 and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. uBe at peace among yourselves. 14 And we urge you, brothers, admonish the vidle,3 encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be wpatient with them all. 15 xSee that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always yseek to do good zto one another and to everyone. 16 aRejoice always, 17 pray bwithout ceasing, 18 cgive thanks in all circumstances; for dthis is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19 eDo not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise fprophecies, 21 but gtest everything; hhold fast what is good. 22 iAbstain from every form of evil.
23 Now may the God of peace himself jsanctify you completely, and may your kwhole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the lcoming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you is faithful; mhe will surely do it.
25 Brothers, npray for us.
26 oGreet all the brothers with a holy kiss.
27 I put you under oath before the Lord pto have this letter read to all the brothers.
28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
In the Shadow of Your Wings
A Prayer of David.
1 Hear a just cause, O Lord; vattend to my cry!
Give ear to my prayer from lips free of deceit!
2 From your presence let my wvindication come!
Let your eyes behold the right!
3 You have tried my heart, you have xvisited me by night,
you have tested me, and you will find nothing;
I have purposed that my mouth will not transgress.
4 With regard to the works of man, by the word of your lips
I have avoided the ways of the violent.
5 yMy steps have held fast to your paths;
my feet have not zslipped.
6 aI call upon you, for you will answer me, O God;
incline your ear to me; hear my words.
7 bWondrously show1 your steadfast love,
O Savior of those who seek refuge
from their adversaries at your right hand.
8 Keep me as cthe apple of your eye;
dhide me in the shadow of your wings,
9 from the wicked who do me violence,
my deadly enemies who surround me.
10 They close their hearts to pity;
with their mouths they speak arrogantly.
11 They have now surrounded our steps;
they set their eyes to cast us to the ground.
12 He is elike a lion eager to tear,
as a young lion lurking in ambush.
13 Arise, O Lord! Confront him, subdue him!
Deliver my soul from the wicked by your sword,
14 from men by your hand, O Lord,
from men of the world whose portion is in this life.2
You fill their womb with treasure;3
they are satisfied with children,
and they leave their abundance to their infants.
15 As for me, I shall fbehold your face in righteousness;
when I gawake, I shall be satisfied with your likeness.
