1 Thessalonians 5
What Happens in This Chapter
Paul writes about the day the Lord comes. It arrives with no warning, like a thief at night, but the believers in Thessalonica belong to the light, so he tells them to stay awake and clear-headed. He says God chose them to be saved through Jesus Christ, not to receive his anger. The chapter ends with short instructions about respecting their leaders, caring for one another, praying, giving thanks, and testing what they hear, followed by a closing prayer and greeting.
Plain reading written for kids. Short sentences, everyday words, one idea at a time.
But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.
1Friends, you do not need me to write about when these things will happen.
2For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
2You already know it well. The day the Lord comes will arrive like a thief at night.
3For 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.
3People will be saying, "Everything is peaceful and safe." Then trouble will fall on them all at once. It will come like the sudden pains of a woman about to have a baby. They will not get away.
4But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
4But you, friends, are not living in the dark. So that day will not catch you by surprise, the way a thief does.
5Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
5You all belong to the light and to the day. We do not belong to the night or to the dark.
6Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
6So let us not sleep, the way other people do. Let us stay awake and keep clear heads.
7For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.
7People who sleep, sleep at night. People who get drunk, get drunk at night.
8But 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.
8We belong to the day, so let us keep clear heads. Faith and love guard us like armor over a soldier's chest. Our hope of being saved guards us like a helmet.
9For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
9God did not choose us to receive his anger. He chose us to be saved through our Lord Jesus Christ.
10Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.
10Jesus died for us. So whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with him.
11Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
11So cheer each other up. Help each other grow strong. You are already doing this.
12And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;
12We ask you, friends, to notice the people who work hard among you. They lead you in the Lord and teach you what is right.
13And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves.
13Think very highly of them and love them, because of the work they do. And live in peace with each other.
14Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.
14We urge you, friends. Warn the people who will not follow the rules. Cheer up those who feel like giving up. Help those who are weak. Be patient with everyone.
The old English says "feebleminded." It does not mean a person is not smart. It means someone who is discouraged or ready to quit.
15See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.
15Make sure no one pays back a wrong with another wrong. Always try to do good, both to each other and to everyone else.
16Rejoice evermore.
16Be glad all the time.
17Pray without ceasing.
17Keep praying, and do not stop.
18In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
18Say thank you to God no matter what happens. This is what God wants for you, because you belong to Christ Jesus.
19Quench not the Spirit.
19Do not put out the Spirit's fire.
20Despise not prophesyings.
20Do not look down on messages that God gives people to speak.
21Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
21Test everything carefully. Hold on tight to what is good.
22Abstain from all appearance of evil.
22Stay away from every kind of evil.
The old English says "all appearance of evil." Here "appearance" means kind or form. It means every sort of evil, not just things that look bad to other people.
23And 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.
23May God himself, who gives peace, make you completely his own. May your whole spirit, soul, and body be kept safe and free from blame. May this be true when our Lord Jesus Christ comes.
24Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.
24The God who calls you always keeps his word. He will do it.
25Brethren, pray for us.
25Friends, please pray for us too.
26Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss.
26Say hello to all the believers with a holy kiss.
A kiss on the cheek was a normal, friendly hello in that time and place, like a hug or a handshake today.
27I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren.
27I tell you, and the Lord hears me say it. Read this letter out loud to all God's people.
28The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
28May our Lord Jesus Christ be kind and good to you. Amen.
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