The Day of the Lord (Zephaniah 1:7–18; Malachi 4:1–6; 2 Peter 3:8–13)
2 UDB because you yourselves know accurately about it already! You know that the Lord Jesus will return unexpectedly. People will not expect him, just as no one expects a thief when he comes at night. BSB BSB: For you are fully aware that the Day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.
3 UDB At some time in the future, many people will say, "All is peaceful and we are safe!" Then suddenly God will come to punish them severely! Just as a pregnant woman who experiences birth pains cannot stop those pains, those people will have no way to escape from God. 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 UDB But you, my fellow believers, are not like people who live in darkness, because you know the truth about God. So when Jesus returns, you will be ready for him. BSB BSB: But you, brothers, are not in the darkness so that this day should overtake you like a thief.
5 UDB You belong to the light, to the daytime. You are not like those who belong to the darkness, to the nighttime. 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 UDB So we believers must be aware of what is happening. We must control ourselves and be ready for Jesus to come. BSB BSB: So then, let us not sleep as the others do, but let us remain awake and sober.
7 UDB It is at night when people sleep and do not know what is happening, and it is at night when people become drunk. BSB BSB: For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night.
8 UDB But we believers belong to the day, so let us control ourselves. Let us be like soldiers: As they protect their chests with breastplates, let us protect ourselves by trusting in Christ and loving him. As they protect their heads with helmets, let us protect ourselves by expecting Christ to rescue us completely from evil. 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 UDB When God chose us, he did not plan for us to be people whom he will punish. On the contrary, he decided to save us because we trust in what our Lord Jesus Christ has done for us. BSB BSB: For God has not appointed us to suffer wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.
10 UDB Jesus died to atone for our sins in order that we might live together with him, whether we are alive or whether we are dead when he returns to earth. BSB BSB: He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with Him.
11 UDB Because you know that this is true, continue to encourage each other, as indeed you now are doing. BSB BSB: Therefore encourage and build one another up, just as you are already doing.
Christian Living 12 UDB My fellow believers, we ask that you recognize as leaders those people who work hard for you. This means that you must respect these leaders as fellow believers—you see how hard they work to help you grow in faith. These leaders guide you and they teach you how to live for the Lord. 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 UDB We ask that you honor them because you love them and because of the work they do. We also urge you to live peacefully with each other. BSB BSB: In love, hold them in highest regard because of their work. Live in peace with one another.
14 UDB My fellow believers, we urge that you warn believers who want to live off what others give them instead of working. Also encourage believers who are fearful, and help all people who are weak in any way. We also urge you to 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 UDB Make sure that none of you does evil deeds to anyone who has done evil to you. On the contrary, you must always try to do good deeds to each other and to everyone else. BSB BSB: Make sure that no one repays evil for evil. Always pursue what is good for one another and for all people.
16 UDB Be joyful at all times, BSB BSB: Rejoice at all times.
17 UDB pray continually, BSB BSB: Pray without ceasing.
18 UDB and thank God in all circumstances. God wants you to behave like that because of what Christ Jesus has done for you. BSB BSB: Give thanks in every circumstance, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
19 UDB Do not keep God's Spirit from working among you. BSB BSB: Do not extinguish the Spirit.
20 UDB For example, do not despise anything that the Holy Spirit tells someone. BSB BSB: Do not treat prophecies with contempt,
22 UDB Do not obey any kind of evil message. BSB BSB: Abstain from every form of evil.
Final Blessings and Instructions 23 UDB May God give you peace and make you without fault so that you do not sin. May he keep you from sinning in any way until our Lord Jesus Christ comes back to earth. 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 UDB Because God has called you to be his people, you can certainly trust him to keep on helping you in that way. BSB BSB: The One who calls you is faithful, and He will do it.
25 UDB My fellow believers, pray for me, for Silas, and for Timothy. BSB BSB: Brothers, pray for us as well.
26 UDB When you gather together as believers, greet each other affectionately, as fellow believers should. BSB BSB: Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss.
27 UDB Make certain that you read this letter to all the believers who are among you. When I tell you this, it is the same as if the Lord were speaking to you! BSB BSB: I charge you before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers.
28 UDB May our Lord Jesus Christ continue to act kindly toward you all. BSB BSB: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
Select verses for actions: Enter goes to them and Escape comes back.