The Day of the Lord (Zephaniah 1:7–18; Malachi 4:1–6; 2 Peter 3:8–13)
2 UST This is because you yourselves already know accurately about the time when the Lord{ Jesus} will come back. You also know that he will come{ unexpectedly}, like when a robber 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 UST { The Lord Jesus} will come at a time when people are saying,“{ We are} safe and secure!” Then, suddenly, God will overwhelm and destroy them! It will be similar to when a pregnant woman cannot escape being overwhelmed by labor pains. In the same way, those people can never escape{ when God destroys}! 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 UST However,{ our} fellow believers in the Messiah, you are not people who are unaware of what will happen, like when people are in the darkness. This is why, when the Lord Jesus returns to earth to punish the people who do not belong to him, he will not surprise you as if he were a thief. BSB BSB: But you, brothers, are not in the darkness so that this day should overtake you like a thief.
5 UST { Since} you are all God’ s children,{ you should live ready for Jesus to return to earth}, like people who are in the light or awake during day are aware of what is happening. We are not{ Satan’ s children,} who live unaware of what will happen, like people at night or in the darkness{ who cannot perceive as well}. 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 UST So, this is why,{ as God’ s children, we must live ready for what will happen. We must} not live unaware of what will happen like the rest of humanity, who are just like people who are sleeping. Instead, we must stay alert and remain attentive,{ expecting Jesus to return to earth}. BSB BSB: So then, let us not sleep as the others do, but let us remain awake and sober.
7 UST It is well known that when people are unaware of what will happen, it is{ usually} at night, when they are sleeping. And when people get drunk, they are not ready for what will happen. They{ usually} get drunk at night,{ when they cannot perceive things as well}. BSB BSB: For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night.
8 UST But{ we who are ready for the Lord Jesus to return to earth do not live unaware of what will happen like these people. Since} we are ready, we must remain attentive. We must fully arm ourselves{ like soldiers}. Faithful love{ towards God should cover our chests} like a breastplate. Being confident{ that God} will save us{ should fully protect our heads} like a helmet. 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 UST Since{ we are his people,} God did not destine that he would punish us{ for our sins}. Instead, he destined that our Lord, Jesus the Messiah, would preserve and save us. BSB BSB: For God has not appointed us to suffer wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.
10 UST Jesus died in our place so that we would live{ forever} with him.{ This is true,} whether we are alive or 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 UST Since this is true, continue to habitually encourage and support each and every one{ of your fellow believers in the Messiah}! BSB BSB: Therefore encourage and build one another up, just as you are already doing.
Christian Living 12 UST Finally,{ our} fellow believers in the Messiah, we request that you give recognition to your spiritual leaders who work hard among you, in the same way you would give recognition to the Lord{ Jesus}. You should also give them recognition because they continually warn and instruct you{ about living like believers in the Messiah should}. 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 UST Because{ of how hard} they work{ for you,} we also request{ that} you abundantly love your spiritual leaders by being considerate of them.{ We also urge} that you keep living peacefully with each other. BSB BSB: In love, hold them in highest regard because of their work. Live in peace with one another.
14 UST { Our} fellow believers in the Messiah, we now urge that you warn and instruct those who live inappropriately. We{ also} urge that you cheer up those who are discouraged. We{ also} urge that you support those who are weak. We{ also} urge that you live patiently with every one{ of your fellow believers in the Messiah}. BSB BSB: And we urge you, brothers, to admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, and be patient with everyone.
15 UST If someone treats you badly, make sure that you do not treat them badly in return. Instead, whenever{ you can,} actively look for ways to kindly treat every{ fellow believer in the Messiah}. BSB BSB: Make sure that no one repays evil for evil. Always pursue what is good for one another and for all people.
16 UST Be joyful all the time! BSB BSB: Rejoice at all times.
17 UST Constantly pray! BSB BSB: Pray without ceasing.
18 UST Keep giving thanks to God in every situation! Indeed, God desires for all of you who are united to Jesus the Messiah to do all these things. BSB BSB: Give thanks in every circumstance, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
19 UST Do not{ try to stop} the{ Holy} Spirit{ from working among you. That would be like someone trying to} extinguish{ a fire}! BSB BSB: Do not extinguish the Spirit.
20 UST { In other words,} do not scorn prophecies{ that the Holy Spirit gives to other believers in the Messiah}! BSB BSB: Do not treat prophecies with contempt,
22 UST Refrain from any thing that appears to be wicked! BSB BSB: Abstain from every form of evil.
Final Blessings and Instructions 23 UST In summary, we pray that God will personally make you live like people who completely belong to him. God is the one who gives his people peace. We also pray that God will preserve you completely innocent for the time when our Lord Jesus the Messiah arrives on earth again. 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 UST The faithful God{ continually} summons all of you{ to live like those who completely belong to him. So, you can be certain that} he will also do{ whatever is necessary for you to be able to live like those who completely belong to him}. BSB BSB: The One who calls you is faithful, and He will do it.
25 UST { Our} fellow believers in the Messiah, we also ask that you keep praying for me, for Silas, and for Timothy! BSB BSB: Brothers, pray for us as well.
26 UST When you meet together{ for worship}, affectionately greet each of your fellow believers in the Messiah in a way that is appropriate for those who belong to God. BSB BSB: Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss.
27 UST I want you to swear an oath to the Lord{ Jesus}, that you will read this letter to all the believers in the Messiah{ among you}! BSB BSB: I charge you before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers.
28 UST May our Lord Jesus the Messiah{ continue to} act kindly toward all of you! BSB BSB: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
Select verses for actions: Enter goes to them and Escape comes back.