3. Now when they are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction comes on them, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will surely not escape.
4. But you, brothers and sisters, are not in the darkness for the day to overtake you like a thief would.
5. For you all are sons of the light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of the darkness.
6. So then we must not sleep as the rest, but must stay alert and sober.
7. For those who sleep, sleep at night and those who get drunk are drunk at night.
8. But since we are of the day, we must stay sober by putting on the breastplate of faith and love and as a helmet our hope for salvation.
9. For God did not destine us for wrath but for gaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.
10. He died for us so that whether we are alert or asleep we will come to life together with him.
11. Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, just as you are in fact doing.
12. Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who labor among you and preside over you in the Lord and admonish you,
13. and to esteem them most highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.
14. And we urge you, brothers and sisters, admonish the undisciplined, comfort the discouraged, help the weak, be patient toward all.
15. See that no one pays back evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good for one another and for all.
16. Always rejoice,
17. constantly pray,
18. in everything give thanks. For this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.