5: 2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
5: 3 When they are saying, Peace and safety, then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall in no wise escape.
5: 4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day should overtake you 25as a thief:
25BA virtually alone read as thieves are overtaken:
5: 5 for ye are all sons of light, and sons of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness;
5: 6 so then let us not sleep, as do the rest, but let us watch and be sober.
5: 7 For they that sleep do sleep in the night; and they that are drunken are drunken in the night.
5: 8 But let us, since we are of the day, be sober, putting on a breastplate of faith and love; and for a helmet, the hope of salvation.
5: 9 For God appointed us not unto wrath, but unto the obtaining of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,
5: 10 who died for us, that, whether we watch or sleep, we should live together with him.
5: 11 Wherefore 26exhort one another, and build each other up, even as also ye do.
26Or, comfort ch. 4:18.
5: 12 But we beseech you, brethren, to know them that labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;
5: 13 and to esteem them exceedingly highly in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves.
5: 14 And we exhort you, brethren, admonish the disorderly, encourage the fainthearted, support the weak, be longsuffering toward all.
5: 15 See that none render unto any one evil for evil; but always follow after that which is good, even toward one another, and toward all.
5: 16 Rejoice always;
5: 17 pray without ceasing;
5: 18 in everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus toward you.
5: 19 Quench not the spirit;
5: 20 despise not prophesyings;
5: 21 but prove all things; hold fast that which is good;
5: 22 abstain from every form of evil.
5: 23 And the God of peace himself sanctify you wholly; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved entire, without blame in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ.
5: 24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who will also do it.
5: 25 Brethren, pray also for us.
5: 26 Salute all the brethren with a holy kiss.
5: 27 I adjure you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the 27brethren.
27So ℵ*B D copsa. But p46vidA 1739 33 81 and the majority of lesser Gk. mss., copbo arm vg add holy
5: 28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.28
28So B 1739* 33 D* copsa. ℵA 81 and the majority of lesser Gk. mss., copbo arm vg add Amen.
