5Now concerning how and when all this will happen, dear brothers and sisters, we don't really need to write you.G1161G4012G5550G2532G2540G80G2192G3756G5532G1125G52132For you know quite well that the day of the Lord's return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night.G1063G846G1492G199G3754G2250G2962G3779G2064G5613G2812G1722G35713When people are saying, "Everything is peaceful and secure," then disaster will fall on them as suddenly as a pregnant woman's labor pains begin. And there will be no escape.G1063G3752G3004G1515G2532G803G5119G160G3639G2186G846G5618G5604G1722G1064G2192G2532G1628G3364G16284But you aren't in the dark about these things, dear brothers and sisters, and you won't be surprised when the day of the Lord comes like a thief.G1161G5210G80G2075G3756G1722G4655G2443G2250G2638G5209G5613G28125For you are all children of the light and of the day; we don't belong to darkness and night.G5210G2075G3956G5207G5457G2532G5207G2250G2070G3756G3571G3761G46556So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded.G686G3767G2518G3361G2518G5613G2532G3062G235G1127G2532G35257Night is the time when people sleep and drinkers get drunk.G1063G2518G2518G3571G2532G3182G3184G35718But let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation.G1161G3525G2249G5607G2250G3525G1746G2382G4102G2532G26G2532G4030G1680G49919For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us.G3754G2316G5087G3756G5087G2248G1519G3709G235G1519G4047G4991G1223G2257G2962G2424G554710Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever.G3588G599G5228G2257G2443G1535G1127G1535G2518G2198G260G4862G84611So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.G1352G3870G240G2532G3618G1520G1520G2531G2532G4160
Paul’s Final Advice
12Dear brothers and sisters, honor those who are your leaders in the Lord's work. They work hard among you and give you spiritual guidance.G1161G2065G5209G80G1492G3588G2872G1722G5213G2532G4291G5216G1722G2962G2532G3560G520913Show them great respect and wholehearted love because of their work. And live peacefully with each other.G2532G2233G846G5228G1537G4053G1722G26G1223G846G2041G1514G1722G143814Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone.G1161G3870G5209G80G3560G813G3888G3642G472G772G3114G4314G395615See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people.G3708G3361G5100G591G2556G473G2556G5100G235G3842G1377G3588G18G2532G1519G240G2532G1519G395616Always be joyful.G5463G384217Never stop praying.G4336G8918Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.G1722G3956G2168G1063G5124G2307G2316G1722G5547G2424G1519G520919Do not stifle the Holy Spirit.G4570G3361G415120Do not scoff at prophecies,G1848G3361G439421but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good.G1381G3956G2722G3588G257022Stay away from every kind of evil.G567G575G3956G1491G4190
Paul’s Final Greetings
23Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again.G1161G846G2316G1515G37G5209G3651G2532G5216G3648G4151G2532G5590G2532G4983G5083G274G1722G3952G2257G2962G2424G554724God will make this happen, for he who calls you is faithful.G4103G2564G5209G3739G2532G416025Dear brothers and sisters, pray for us.G80G4336G4012G225726Greet all the brothers and sisters with Christian love.G782G3956G80G1722G40G537027I command you in the name of the Lord to read this letter to all the brothers and sisters.G3726G5209G2962G1992G314G3956G40G8028May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.G5485G2257G2962G2424G5547G3326G5216G281
Psalms 17
17[A prayer of David.] O LORD, hear my plea for justice. Listen to my cry for help. Pay attention to my prayer, for it comes from honest lips.H8605H1732H8085H6664H3068H7181H7440H238H8605H3808H4820H81932Declare me innocent, for you see those who do right.H4941H3318H6440H5869H2372H43393You have tested my thoughts and examined my heart in the night. You have scrutinized me and found nothing wrong. I am determined not to sin in what I say.H974H3820H6485H3915H6884H4672H2161H6310H56744I have followed your commands, which keep me from following cruel and evil people.H6468H120H1697H8193H8104H734H65305My steps have stayed on your path; I have not wavered from following you.H8551H838H4570H6471H41316I am praying to you because I know you will answer, O God. Bend down and listen as I pray.H7121H6030H410H5186H241H8085H5657Show me your unfailing love in wonderful ways. By your mighty power you rescue those who seek refuge from their enemies.H6395H2617H3467H3225H2620H69658Guard me as you would guard your own eyes. Hide me in the shadow of your wings.H8104H380H1323H5869H5641H6738H36719Protect me from wicked people who attack me, from murderous enemies who surround me.H6440H7563H2098H7703H5315H341H536210They are without pity. Listen to their boasting!H5462H2459H6310H1696H134811They track me down and surround me, watching for the chance to throw me to the ground.H5437H838H7896H5869H5186H77612They are like hungry lions, eager to tear me apart—like young lions hiding in ambush.H1825H738H3700H2963H3715H3427H456513Arise, O LORD! Stand against them, and bring them to their knees! Rescue me from the wicked with your sword!H6965H3068H6923H6440H3766H6403H5315H7563H271914By the power of your hand, O LORD, destroy those who look to this world for their reward. But satisfy the hunger of your treasured ones. May their children have plenty, leaving an inheritance for their descendants.H4962H3027H3068H4962H2465H2506H2416H990H4390H6840H7646H1121H3240H3499H576815Because I am righteous, I will see you. When I awake, I will see you face to face and be satisfied.H2372H6440H6664H7646H6974H8544
Dublin, OH
, we don't really need to write you.G1161
