The Day of the Lord (Zephaniah 1:7–18; Malachi 4:1–6; 2 Peter 3:8–13)
2 CPDV For you yourselves thoroughly understand that the day of the Lord shall arrive much like a thief in the night. BSB BSB: For you are fully aware that the Day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.
3 CPDV For when they will say, “Peace and security!” then destruction will suddenly overwhelm them, like the labor pains of a woman with child, and they will not escape. BSB BSB: While people are saying, “Peace and security,” destruction will come upon them suddenly, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
4 CPDV But you, brothers, are not in darkness, so that you would be overtaken by that day as by a thief. BSB BSB: But you, brothers, are not in the darkness so that this day should overtake you like a thief.
5 CPDV For all of you are sons of light and sons of daytime; we are not of nighttime, nor of darkness. BSB BSB: For you are all sons of the light and sons of the day; we do not belong to the night or to the darkness.
6 CPDV Therefore, let us not sleep, as the rest do. Instead, we should be vigilant and sober. BSB BSB: So then, let us not sleep as the others do, but let us remain awake and sober.
7 CPDV For those who sleep, sleep in the night; and those who are inebriated, are inebriated in the night. BSB BSB: For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night.
8 CPDV But we, who are of the daylight, should be sober, being clothed with the breastplate of faith and of charity and having, as a helmet, the hope of salvation. BSB BSB: But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and the helmet of our hope of salvation.
9 CPDV For God has not appointed us for wrath, but for the acquisition of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, BSB BSB: For God has not appointed us to suffer wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.
10 CPDV who died for us, so that, whether we watch, or whether we sleep, we may live in union with him. BSB BSB: He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with Him.
11 CPDV Because of this, console one another and build up one another, just as you are doing. BSB BSB: Therefore encourage and build one another up, just as you are already doing.
Christian Living 12 CPDV And we ask you, brothers, to recognize those who labor among you, and who preside over you in the Lord, and who admonish you, BSB BSB: But we ask you, brothers, to acknowledge those who work diligently among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you.
13 CPDV so that you may consider them with an abundance of charity, for the sake of their work. Be at peace with them. BSB BSB: In love, hold them in highest regard because of their work. Live in peace with one another.
14 CPDV And we ask you, brothers: correct the disruptive, console the weak-minded, support the sick, be patient with everyone. BSB BSB: And we urge you, brothers, to admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, and be patient with everyone.
15 CPDV See to it that no one repays evil for evil to anyone. Instead, always pursue whatever is good, with one another and with all. BSB BSB: Make sure that no one repays evil for evil. Always pursue what is good for one another and for all people.
16 CPDV Rejoice always. BSB BSB: Rejoice at all times.
17 CPDV Pray without ceasing. BSB BSB: Pray without ceasing.
18 CPDV Give thanks in everything. For this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for all of you. BSB BSB: Give thanks in every circumstance, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
19 CPDV Do not choose to extinguish the Spirit. BSB BSB: Do not extinguish the Spirit.
20 CPDV Do not spurn prophecies. BSB BSB: Do not treat prophecies with contempt,
22 CPDV Abstain from every kind of evil. BSB BSB: Abstain from every form of evil.
Final Blessings and Instructions 23 CPDV And may the God of peace himself sanctify you through all things, so that your whole spirit and soul and body may be preserved without blame unto the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. BSB BSB: Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely, and may your entire spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
24 CPDV He who has called you is faithful. He shall act even now. BSB BSB: The One who calls you is faithful, and He will do it.
25 CPDV Brothers, pray for us. BSB BSB: Brothers, pray for us as well.
26 CPDV Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss. BSB BSB: Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss.
27 CPDV I bind you, through the Lord, that this epistle is to be read to all the holy brothers. BSB BSB: I charge you before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers.
28 CPDV May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. BSB BSB: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
Select verses for actions: Enter goes to them and Escape comes back.