forth this love toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia: but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase in this love more and more;

11 And that ye study to be quiet, and do your own business, not meddling with other men's affairs; and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;

12 That ye may walk honestly [not being burthensome] toward them that have not come into Christ's church, and that by honest industry ye may have lack of nothing.

13 But I would not have you be ignorant, brethren, of the state of those who are dead, [gone to sleep in Christ Jesus,] that ye sorrow not for them even as others which have no hope.

14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him at his second coming.

15 For this we say unto you by the authority of God, that we, [those Christians] which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord at the last day, shall have no advantage [preeminence] over them which die before that event.

16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God; and those who are dead in the faith of Christ shall rise first.

17 Then we, [those] which are alive and remain, shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

18 Wherefore, under all troubles, and particularly upon the death of friends, comfort one another with these words.

CHAP. V.

1 BUT of times and seasons [when the coming of Christ shall be], brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.

2 For yourselves know perfectly from the word of God, Luke xii. 39, 40, that the day of the Lord cometh as a thief in the night.

3 For when the ungodly shall say, Peace and safety [in the very midst of their false and fancied security], then sudden destruction cometh upon them as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.

4 But ye, brethren, are not in ignorance of these things, that that day should overtake you as a thief cometh [unawares].

5 Ye are all the children of light, [of the truth,] of the day, enlightened by the word of God; we are not of the night nor of darkness:

6 Therefore, let us not sleep [sink into idleness in the concerns of our souls] as do others; but let us watch and be sober:

7 For they that sleep, [neglect these things,] sleep in ignorance, [darkness,] in the night of heathenism; and they that are drunken, are drunken in their ignorance [without the light of the gospel].

8 But let us who are of the day [upon whom the day-star of righteousness has shined] be sober, put

ting on the breast-plate of faith and love; and for a helmet, the hope of salvation.

9 For God hath not appointed [intended] us for wrath, but that we should obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ;

10 Who died for us, that, whether we be alive at his coming, or die in the faith, we should live for ever with him.

11 Wherefore, comfort yourselves together, and edify [teach, inform, enlighten] one another, even as also ye do now.

12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know [distinguish by respect and love] them which labour [as ministers] among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you :

13 And to esteem them very highly in love for their works' sake. And be at peace among yourselves.

14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feeble-minded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.

15 See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.

16 Rejoice in the Lord always.

17 Pray without ceasing [lead a life of prayer]. 18 In all circumstances, and for all things, give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus [in the dispensation of the gospel] concerning you.

19 Quench not [resist not, discourage not] the workings of the Spirit.

20 Despise not prophesyings [the preaching of the gospel].

21 Prove [try, examine] all things; hold fast that which is good.

22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.

23 And the very [real, true] peace of God sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit, and soul, and body, be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

24 He that calleth you is faithful, [to be depended upon,] who also will perform what he hath promised. 25 Brethren, pray for us, your ministers.

26 Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss.

27 I charge you, by the authority committed to me of the Lord, that this Epistle be read unto all the holy brethren.

28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

The first Epistle unto the Thessalonians was written from Athens.

THE

SECOND EPISTLE TO THE THESSALONIANS.

This Epistle was written by Paul the Apostle from Corinth, about the beginning of the year 53, or the end of the year 52.

It was written to correct a mistake which they had made as to the meaning of certain passages in his first Epistle, which related, as they thought, to the near approach of the day of judgment.

It contains three chapters.

CHAP. I.

1 PAUL and Silvanus [Silas] and Timothy, unto the church of the Thessalonians, in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ :

2 Grace unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

3 We are bound to thank God always for you, as it is meet, [fit, proper,] because that your faith groweth [increaseth] exceedingly, and the charity [love, kind