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

Christian and no overreaching him. For the Lord is an avenger
in 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