Study Desk

^(C1)Finally then, ^(C2)brothers and sisters, we request and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received instruction from us as to how you ought to ^(F1)(C3)walk and ^(C4)please God (just as you actually do ^(F1)walk), that you ^(C5)excel even more.

For you know what instructions we gave you ^(F1)by the authority of the Lord Jesus.

For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you ^(C1)abstain from sexual immorality;

that ^(C1)each of you know how to ^(F1)possess his own ^(F2)(C2)vessel in sanctification and ^(C3)honor,

not in ^(F1)(C1)lustful passion, like the Gentiles who ^(C2)do not know God;

and that no one violate the rights and ^(C1)take advantage of his brother or sister ^(C2)in the matter, because ^(C3)the Lord is the avenger in all these things, just as we also ^(C4)told you previously and solemnly warned you.

For ^(C1)God has not called us for ^(F1)(C2)impurity, but in sanctification.

Therefore, the one who rejects this is not rejecting man, but the God who ^(C1)gives His Holy Spirit to you.

Now as to the ^(C1)love of the brothers and sisters, you ^(C2)have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves are ^(C3)taught by God to love one another;

for indeed ^(C1)you practice it toward all the brothers and sisters who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers and sisters, to ^(C2)excel even more,

and to make it your ambition ^(C1)to lead a quiet life and ^(C2)attend to your own business and ^(C3)work with your hands, just as we instructed you,

so that you will ^(F1)(C1)behave properly toward ^(C2)outsiders and ^(F2)(C3)not be in any need.

But ^(C1)we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who ^(F1)(C2)are asleep, so that you will not grieve as indeed ^(C3)the rest of mankind do, who have ^(C4)no hope.

For if we believe that Jesus died and rose from the dead, ^(C1)so also God will bring with Him ^(C2)those who have fallen asleep ^(F1)through Jesus.

For we say this to you ^(C1)by the word of the Lord, that ^(C2)we who are alive ^(F1)and remain until ^(C3)the coming of the Lord will not precede ^(C4)those who have fallen asleep.

For the Lord ^(C1)Himself ^(C2)will descend from heaven with a ^(F1)(C3)shout, with the voice of ^(C4)the archangel and with the ^(C5)trumpet of God, and ^(C6)the dead in Christ will rise first.

Then ^(C1)we who are alive, who remain, will be ^(C2)caught up together with them ^(C3)in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always ^(C4)be with the Lord.

Therefore, ^(F1)comfort one another with these words.

Now as to the ^(C1)periods and ^(F1)times, brothers and sisters, you ^(C2)have no need of anything to be written to you.

For you yourselves know full well that ^(C1)the day of the Lord is coming ^(C2)just like a thief in the night.

While they are saying, "^(C1)Peace and safety!" then ^(C2)sudden destruction ^(F1)will come upon them like ^(C3)labor pains upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

But you, brothers and sisters, are not in ^(C1)darkness, so that the day would overtake you ^(F1)(C2)like a thief;

for you are all ^(C1)sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of ^(C2)darkness;

so then, let's not ^(C1)sleep as ^(F1)(C2)others do, but let's be alert and ^(F2)(C3)sober.

For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who are drunk, ^(C1)get drunk at night.

But since ^(C1)we are of the day, let's ^(C2)be ^(F1)sober, having put on the ^(C3)breastplate of ^(C4)faith and love, and as a ^(C5)helmet, the ^(C6)hope of salvation.

For God has not destined us for ^(C1)wrath, but for ^(C2)obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,

^(C1)who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him.

Therefore, ^(F1)encourage one another and ^(C1)build one another up, just as you also are doing.

But we ask you, brothers and sisters, to ^(C1)recognize those ^(C2)who diligently labor among you and ^(F1)(C3)are in leadership over you in the Lord, and give you ^(F2)instruction,

and that you regard them very highly in love because of their work. ^(C1)Live in peace with one another.

We urge you, brothers and sisters, admonish ^(C1)the ^(F1)unruly, encourage ^(C2)the fainthearted, help ^(C3)the weak, be ^(C4)patient with everyone.

See that ^(C1)no one repays another with evil for evil, but always ^(C2)seek what is good for one another and for all people.

^(C1)Rejoice always,

^(C1)pray without ceasing,

in everything ^(C1)give thanks; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.

^(C1)Do not quench the Spirit,

do not utterly reject ^(F1)(C1)prophecies,

but ^(C1)examine everything; ^(C2)hold firmly to that which is good,

abstain from every ^(F1)form of evil.

Now ^(C1)may the God of peace ^(C2)Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your ^(C3)spirit and soul and body be kept complete, ^(C4)without blame at ^(C5)the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

^(C1)Faithful is He who ^(C2)calls you, and He also will do it.

Brothers and sisters, ^(C1)pray for us^(F1).

^(C1)Greet all the brothers and sisters with a holy kiss.

I put you under oath by the Lord to ^(C1)have this letter read to all the ^(C2)brothers and sisters.

^(C1)May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.