Weymouth New Testament in Modern Speech: 1 Thessalonians | Page 3

all such cases, as we have already taught you and solemnly warned you. 004:007 God has not called us to an unclean life, but to one of purity. 004:008 Therefore a defiant spirit in such a case provokes not man but God, who puts His Holy Spirit into your hearts. 004:009 But on the subject of love for the brotherhood it is unnecessary for me to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another; 004:010 and indeed you do love all the brethren throughout Macedonia. And we exhort you to do so more and more, 004:011 and to vie with one another in eagerness for peace, every one minding his own business and working with his hands, as we ordered you to do: 004:012 so as to live worthy lives in relation to outsiders, and not be a burden to any one. 004:013 Now, concerning those who from time to time pass away, we would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, lest you should mourn as others do who have no hope. 004:014 For if we believe that Jesus has died and risen again, we also believe that, through Jesus, God will bring with Him those who shall have passed away. 004:015 For this we declare to you on the Lord's own authority-- that we who are alive and continue on earth until the Coming of the Lord, shall certainly not forestall those who shall have previously passed away. 004:016 For the Lord Himself will come down from Heaven with a loud word of command, and with an archangel's voice and the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 004:017 Afterwards we who are alive and are still on earth will be caught up in their company amid clouds to meet the Lord in the air. 004:018 And so we shall be with the Lord for ever. Therefore encourage one another with these words. 005:001 But as to times and dates it is unnecessary that anything be written to you. 005:002 For you yourselves know perfectly well that the day of the Lord comes like a thief in the night. 005:003 While they are saying "Peace and safety!" then in a moment destruction falls upon them, like birth-pains on a woman who is with child; and escape there is none. 005:004 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that daylight should surprise you like a thief; 005:005 for all of you are sons of Light and sons of the day. We belong neither to the night nor to darkness. 005:006 So then let us not sleep, like the rest of the world, but let us keep awake and be sober. 005:007 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who drink freely, drink at night. 005:008 But let us, belonging--as we do--to the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. 005:009 For God has not pre-destined us to meet His anger, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ; 005:010 who died on our behalf, so that whether we are awake or are sleeping we may share His Life. 005:011 Therefore encourage one another, and let each one help to strengthen his friend, as in fact you do. 005:012 Now we beg you, brethren, to show respect for those who labour among you and are your leaders in Christian work, and are your advisers; 005:013 and to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. Be at peace among yourselves. 005:014 And we exhort you, brethren, admonish the unruly, comfort the timid, sustain the weak, and be patient towards all. 005:015 See to it that no one ever repays another with evil for evil; but always seek opportunities of doing good both to one another and to all the world. 005:016 Be always joyful. 005:017 Be unceasing in prayer. 005:018 In every circumstance of life be thankful; for this is God's will in Christ Jesus respecting you. 005:019 Do not quench the Spirit. 005:020 Do not think meanly of utterances of prophecy; 005:021 but test all such, and retain hold of the good. 005:022 Hold yourselves aloof from every form of evil. 005:023 And may God Himself who gives peace, make you entirely holy; and may your spirits, souls and bodies be preserved complete and be found blameless at the Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 005:024 Faithful is He who calls you, and He will also perfect His work. 005:025 Brethren, pray for us. 005:026 Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss. 005:027 I solemnly charge you in the Lord's name to have this Letter read to all the brethren. 005:028 May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be