Final Exhortations on Church Life and Closing Benediction
1 Thessalonians 5:12-28
1Thess.5.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Ερωτωμεν: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,pl
- δε: CONJ
- υμας: PRON,acc,pl,2
- αδελφοι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- ειδεναι: VERB,pres,act,inf
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- κοπιωντας: VERB,pres,act,part,acc,pl,m
- εν: PREP
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,2
- και: CONJ
- προισταμενους: VERB,pres,act,part,acc,pl,m
- υμων: PRON,gen,pl,2
- εν: PREP
- κυριω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- νουθετουντας: VERB,pres,act,part,acc,pl,m
- υμας: PRON,acc,pl,2
Parallels
- 1 Timothy 5:17 (verbal): Speaks of elders who 'rule well' and are 'worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching' — closely parallels 'those who labor among you and are over you' in 1 Thess 5:12.
- Hebrews 13:7 (thematic): Commands remembering and considering the leaders who spoke God's word and imitating their faith — relates to acknowledging and honoring those who lead and instruct.
- Hebrews 13:17 (thematic): Urges obedience and submission to leaders who 'keep watch' over souls, linking the oversight role of leaders with the responsibility of the congregation to heed them (similar to 'over you in the Lord and admonish you').
- Romans 12:8 (verbal): Advises that 'if it is to lead, do it with diligence' (Greek leadership language parallels προϊστάμενους), connecting the duty and character expected of those who preside over the community.
- 1 Peter 5:5 (thematic): Calls for younger members to 'be subject to the elders' and to humility toward one another, echoing the expectation of deference to and acceptance of the admonition of church leaders.
Alternative generated candidates
- But we ask you, brothers, to recognize those who labor among you, who lead you in the Lord and admonish you,
- We ask you, brothers, to acknowledge those who labor among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you.
1Thess.5.13 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- ηγεισθαι: VERB,pres,mid,imp,2,pl
- αυτους: PRON,acc,pl,m
- υπερεκπερισσου: ADV
- εν: PREP
- αγαπη: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- δια: PREP
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- εργον: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- αυτων: PRON,gen,pl,m
- ειρηνευετε: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,pl
- εν: PREP
- εαυτοις: PRON,dat,pl,m
Parallels
- 1 Thessalonians 5:12 (structural): Immediate context: instructs the community to respect and acknowledge those who labor among them, which 5:13 expands by calling them to esteem such leaders highly in love.
- Romans 12:10 (verbal): Echoes the call to show high regard and affectionate honor toward fellow believers ('outdo one another in showing honor'), paralleling 'esteem them very highly in love.'
- 1 Timothy 5:17 (thematic): Directs that elders who lead well, especially those who labor in the word and teaching, are worthy of honor—paralleling the motive 'for their work's sake.'
- Hebrews 13:17 (thematic): Urges obedience and submission to leaders who watch over souls and give account, connecting respect for leaders with their pastoral labor and responsibility.
- Romans 12:18 (thematic): Shares the exhortation to pursue peace within the community ('if possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably'), paralleling 'be at peace among yourselves.'
Alternative generated candidates
- and to hold them in highest honor in love for their work. Live in peace with one another.
- Count them most highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.
1Thess.5.14 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- παρακαλουμεν: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,pl
- δε: CONJ
- υμας: PRON,acc,pl,2
- αδελφοι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- νουθετειτε: VERB,pres,act,imp,2,pl
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- ατακτους: ADJ,acc,pl,m
- παραμυθεισθε: VERB,pres,mid/pass,imp,2,pl
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- ολιγοψυχους: ADJ,acc,pl,m
- αντεχεσθε: VERB,pres,mid/pass,imp,2,pl
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- ασθενων: ADJ,gen,pl,m
- μακροθυμειτε: VERB,pres,act,imp,2,pl
- προς: PREP
- παντας: ADJ,acc,pl,m
Parallels
- Galatians 6:1 (thematic): Calls for restoring a brother caught in sin with gentleness—parallels νουθετεῖτε (admonish/restore) and the pastoral, gentle tone.
- James 5:19-20 (thematic): Urges bringing back wandering sinners so their souls are saved—similar aim to admonishing the 'disorderly' and comforting the faint-hearted.
- Romans 15:1-2 (verbal): Commands the strong to bear with the failings of the weak and to build them up—directly echoes ἀντέχεσθαι τῶν ἀσθενῶν and the exhortation to mutual care.
- Ephesians 4:2 (verbal): Calls for humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another in love—parallels μακροθυμεῖτε πρὸς πάντας and the spirit in which correction is to be given.
- Colossians 3:16 (verbal): Speaks of the word of Christ dwelling richly, teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns—connects to νουθετεῖτε and παραμυθεῖσθε (encourage/comfort) as mutual instruction and consolation.
Alternative generated candidates
- And we urge you, brothers: admonish the unruly, encourage the faint‑hearted, support the weak, be patient with everyone.
- And we urge you, brothers: admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone.
1Thess.5.15 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ορατε: VERB,pres,act,imp,2,pl
- μη: PART
- τις: PRON,nom,sg,?
- κακον: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- αντι: PREP,gen
- κακου: ADJ,gen,sg,n
- τινι: PRON,dat,sg,neut
- αποδω: VERB,aor,act,subj,3,sg
- αλλα: CONJ
- παντοτε: ADV
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- αγαθον: ADJ,acc,sg,m
- διωκετε: VERB,pres,act,imp,2,pl
- εις: PREP
- αλληλους: PRON,acc,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- εις: PREP
- παντας: ADJ,acc,pl,m
Parallels
- Romans 12:17-21 (verbal): Commands not to repay evil for evil and the exhortation to overcome evil with good echo 1 Thess. 5:15's prohibition of retaliation and pursuit of good.
- 1 Peter 3:9 (verbal): Explicitly forbids repaying evil with evil or insult, urging blessing instead—closely parallel in wording and ethical intent to 1 Thess. 5:15.
- Galatians 6:10 (verbal): Urges doing good to all, especially to the household of faith, reflecting the call to 'always seek to do good to one another and to everyone' in 1 Thess. 5:15.
- Matthew 5:38-44 (thematic): Jesus' teaching on non-retaliation (turn the other cheek) and loving/enemy-doing good parallels the ethical demand in 1 Thess. 5:15 to refrain from revenge and pursue good toward others.
Alternative generated candidates
- See that no one repays evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good for one another and for all.
- See that no one repays evil for evil; but always pursue what is good, both for one another and for all.
1Thess.5.16 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- παντοτε: ADV
- χαιρετε: VERB,pres,act,imp,2,pl
Parallels
- Philippians 4:4 (verbal): Paul's nearly identical exhortation 'Rejoice in the Lord always'—same verb and adverbial idea of continual rejoicing.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (structural): Immediately parallel within the same verse cluster—part of the short triad of exhortations (rejoice always; pray without ceasing; give thanks).
- 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (structural): Closely linked command in the same context ('in everything give thanks'), which frames and complements the call to continual joy.
- Romans 12:12 (thematic): Addresses similar ethical-religious stance—'rejoicing in hope'—linking persistent joy to hope and endurance in Paul’s teaching.
- Psalm 118:24 (thematic): Old Testament background for communal and continual rejoicing ('This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it'), providing a worship/joy precedent for the NT exhortation.
Alternative generated candidates
- Rejoice always;
- Rejoice always.
1Thess.5.17 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- αδιαλειπτως: ADV
- προσευχεσθε: VERB,pres,mid/pass,ind,2,pl
Parallels
- Luke 18:1 (verbal): Jesus teaches the disciples 'to pray always and not lose heart' (explicit exhortation to continual prayer, closely echoing the 'pray without ceasing' command).
- Luke 21:36 (verbal): Jesus urges vigilance and to 'pray always' that one may stand before the Son of Man—another direct injunction to persistent prayer.
- Ephesians 6:18 (verbal): Paul instructs believers to pray 'at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication,' linking continuous prayer with alertness and spiritual warfare.
- Colossians 4:2 (verbal): An apostolic exhortation to 'continue steadfastly in prayer' (devotion and perseverance in prayer parallel to 1 Thess 5:17).
- Romans 12:12 (thematic): Combines joy, patience, and 'constancy in prayer'—theologically aligned with the call to persistent, habitual prayer found in 1 Thessalonians.
Alternative generated candidates
- pray without ceasing;
- Pray without ceasing.
1Thess.5.18 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- εν: PREP
- παντι: PRON,dat,sg,m
- ευχαριστειτε·τουτο: VERB,pres,act,imp,2,pl|PRON,nom,sg,n
- γαρ: PART
- θελημα: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- εν: PREP
- Χριστω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- Ιησου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- εις: PREP
- υμας: PRON,acc,pl,2
Parallels
- Ephesians 5:20 (verbal): Both passages urge continual/always giving thanks to God in the sphere of Christ Jesus, using similar language linking thanksgiving to Christ.
- Colossians 3:17 (verbal): Commands that whatever is done be done in Christ’s name and with thanksgiving—closely parallels the linkage of action, Christ, and thanksgiving.
- Philippians 4:6 (thematic): Links prayer and thanksgiving in all circumstances, echoing the Thessalonian call to a thankful stance 'in everything' rather than anxiety.
- Hebrews 13:15 (thematic): Speaks of offering continual praise and thanksgiving to God as an ongoing duty of believers, resonating with the exhortation to give thanks in all things.
Alternative generated candidates
- give thanks in everything; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
- Give thanks in everything; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
1Thess.5.19 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- πνευμα: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- μη: PART
- σβεννυτε: VERB,pres,act,imp,2,pl
Parallels
- 1 Thessalonians 5:20 (structural): Immediate context: Paul follows 'Do not quench the Spirit' with 'Do not despise prophecies,' linking the prohibition to receptivity toward prophetic/spiritual utterances.
- Ephesians 4:30 (verbal): Similar injunction regarding proper treatment of the Spirit—'Do not grieve the Holy Spirit'—both forbid actions that hinder or harm the Spirit's work among believers.
- Acts 7:51 (thematic): Stephen accuses his hearers of resisting the Holy Spirit ('always resisting the Holy Spirit'), thematically parallel to the warning not to quench or oppose the Spirit's activity.
- Matthew 12:31-32 (thematic): Jesus' warning about blasphemy against the Holy Spirit underscores the severity of opposing the Spirit, resonating with the prohibition against quenching the Spirit.
- 1 John 4:1 (thematic): Commands to 'test the spirits' correspond with 1 Thess 5:19–21's concern for discerning and rightly receiving Spirit-led prophecy rather than silencing or rejecting it.
Alternative generated candidates
- Do not quench the Spirit;
- Do not quench the Spirit.
1Thess.5.20 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- προφητειας: NOUN,acc,pl,f
- μη: PART
- εξουθενειτε·: VERB,pres,act,imp,2,pl
Parallels
- 1 Corinthians 14:1 (thematic): Paul urges believers to pursue prophecy because it builds up the church, which supports 1 Thess 5:20’s positive valuation of prophetic speech (do not despise prophecies).
- 1 Corinthians 14:29 (verbal): Gives a concrete procedure—'let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said'—that parallels the Thessalonian injunction not to despise prophecy and the nearby command to test everything.
- 1 John 4:1 (thematic): Commands believers to 'test the spirits' to discern true prophecy from false, complementing 1 Thess 5:20 by showing prophecy should be neither despised nor accepted uncritically.
- Acts 21:10-11 (allusion): The prophet Agabus delivers a specific, Spirit-given word about Paul’s future—an example of prophetic ministry in Acts that illustrates why prophetic messages in the church deserve attention rather than contempt.
Alternative generated candidates
- do not despise prophetic utterances;
- Do not despise prophecies.
1Thess.5.21 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- παντα: ADJ,nom,pl,n
- δε: CONJ
- δοκιμαζετε: VERB,pres,act,imp,2,pl
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- καλον: ADJ,nom/acc,sg,neut
- κατεχετε: VERB,pres,act,imp,2,pl
Parallels
- 1 John 4:1 (verbal): Explicitly commands believers to 'test the spirits' (δοκιμάζετε τὰ πνεύματα), paralleling 1 Thess 5:21's imperative to test all things and discern true prophecy/teaching.
- Romans 12:2 (verbal): Calls believers to discern and 'test what God's will is' (δοκιμάζετε τί τὸ θέλημα τοῦ Θεοῦ), echoing the mindset of testing and approving what is good.
- Acts 17:11 (thematic): Describes the Bereans who 'examined the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so,' providing a model of testing teachings against authoritative standard—parallel in spirit to 'test all things.'
- Revelation 2:25 (verbal): Jesus' exhortation to 'hold fast what you have' (cf. 'hold fast what is good') corresponds closely to 1 Thess 5:21's command to retain what is good/true.
- 1 Corinthians 16:13 (thematic): Urges believers to 'stand firm in the faith' and be vigilant—complementary to testing and holding fast to what is good as means of persevering in truth.
Alternative generated candidates
- but test everything; hold fast to what is good;
- But examine everything; hold fast to what is good.
1Thess.5.22 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- απο: PREP
- παντος: ADJ,gen,sg,masc
- ειδους: NOUN,gen,sg,neut
- πονηρου: ADJ,gen,sg,m
- απεχεσθε: VERB,pres,mid,imp,2,pl
Parallels
- Romans 12:9 (verbal): Uses a closely similar injunction ('ἀπὸ τοῦ πονηροῦ ἀποστήτω')—an explicit command to turn away from evil, matching the wording and ethical imperative.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:21 (structural): Immediate context: 'test all things; hold fast what is good' frames 5:22 as the concluding ethical pair—affirm the good and abstain from every form of evil.
- Ephesians 5:11 (thematic): Commands separation from the 'unfruitful works of darkness' and urges exposure/reproof of evil rather than participation—same ethic of avoiding evil associations and deeds.
- Titus 2:11-12 (thematic): Speaks of God's saving grace teaching believers to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions so they may live soberly and righteously—parallels the call to abstain from all forms of evil.
- 2 Corinthians 7:1 (thematic): Exhorts believers to cleanse themselves 'from all defilement of flesh and spirit,' echoing the call to abstain from every form/type of evil.
Alternative generated candidates
- abstain from every form of evil.
- Abstain from every form of evil.
1Thess.5.23 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Αυτος: PRON,nom,sg,m
- δε: CONJ
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- θεος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- ειρηνης: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- αγιασαι: VERB,aor,act,subj,3,sg
- υμας: PRON,acc,pl,2
- ολοτελεις: ADJ,acc,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- ολοκληρον: ADJ,nom,sg,n
- υμων: PRON,gen,pl,2
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- πνευμα: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- και: CONJ
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- ψυχη: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- σωμα: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- αμεμπτως: ADV
- εν: PREP
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- παρουσια: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- κυριου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- ημων: PRON,gen,pl,1
- Ιησου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- Χριστου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- τηρηθειη: VERB,aor,pass,subj,3,sg
Parallels
- 1 Thessalonians 3:13 (verbal): Same author-prayer: asks that believers be 'blameless' in holiness before the coming of our Lord — closely echoes the petition that spirit, soul and body be preserved blameless at Christ's coming.
- 1 Corinthians 1:8–9 (verbal): Paul says God 'will also confirm you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ,' paralleling the assurance that God will preserve believers whole and blameless at Christ's coming.
- Philippians 1:6 (thematic): 'He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion... at the day of Christ Jesus' — resonates with the petition that God sanctify believers wholly and bring them to complete preservation.
- Jude 24 (verbal): God 'is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault' — closely parallels the idea of God preserving and presenting the faithful blameless at the Lord's appearing.
Alternative generated candidates
- Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
- Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
1Thess.5.24 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- πιστος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- καλων: PART,pres,act,nom,sg,m
- υμας: PRON,acc,pl,2
- ος: PRON,nom,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- ποιησει: VERB,fut,act,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- 1 Corinthians 1:9 (verbal): Declares God's faithfulness and links that faithfulness with calling: 'God is faithful, by whom you were called.' Parallels the claim that the one who calls is faithful.
- Hebrews 10:23 (verbal): Urges believers to hold fast because 'he who promised is faithful,' echoing the affirmation that God (or the One who calls) is faithful to fulfill his word.
- Philippians 1:6 (thematic): Assures that the Lord who began a work in believers will complete it—comparable to 1 Thess 5:24's confidence that the One who calls 'will surely do it.'
- 2 Timothy 2:13 (thematic): Affirms God's continuing faithfulness even if we are faithless: 'he remains faithful,' reinforcing the doctrine that the caller (God) can be relied on.
- Jude 24 (thematic): Ascribes to God the power to keep and present believers blameless, reflecting the assurance that the One who calls will accomplish his purpose for them.
Alternative generated candidates
- Faithful is he who calls you—he will do it.
- Faithful is he who calls you—he will do it.
1Thess.5.25 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Αδελφοι: NOUN,voc,pl,m
- προσευχεσθε: VERB,pres,mid/pass,ind,2,pl
- περι: PREP
- ημων: PRON,gen,pl,1
Parallels
- 2 Thessalonians 3:1 (verbal): Same concise petition—'Finally, brethren, pray for us'—a near-verbatim request for the recipients' prayers.
- Colossians 4:3 (verbal): Paul asks the Colossians to 'pray also for us' so God may open a door for the message—same request for intercession on behalf of the missionaries' work.
- Ephesians 6:19 (thematic): Paul requests prayer 'that utterance may be given me'—connects the general call to pray for Paul with a specific petition for bold speech and ministry effectiveness.
- Romans 15:30 (thematic): Paul urges the Roman believers to 'strive together with me in your prayers'—another appeal for the community's intercessory support for his ministry.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (structural): Immediate contextually related command—'pray without ceasing'—which frames the present brief plea for prayer in the chapter's broader exhortation to persistent prayer.
Alternative generated candidates
- Brothers, pray for us.
- Brothers, pray for us.
1Thess.5.26 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ασπασασθε: VERB,aor,mid,imp,2,pl
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- αδελφους: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- παντας: ADJ,acc,pl,m
- εν: PREP
- φιληματι: NOUN,dat,sg,n
- αγιω: ADJ,dat,sg,n
Parallels
- Romans 16:16 (verbal): Paul's explicit instruction: "Greet one another with a holy kiss." Nearly identical wording and practice as in 1 Thess 5:26.
- 1 Corinthians 16:20 (verbal): Paul closes with the same greeting formula: "All the brothers greet you. Greet one another with a holy kiss," echoing the communal salutation.
- 2 Corinthians 13:12 (verbal): A parallel farewell blessing: "Greet one another with a holy kiss," showing the same early Christian liturgical/communal practice.
- 1 Peter 5:14 (allusion): Peter exhorts: "Greet one another with a kiss of love," reflecting the same affectionate greeting tradition though using slightly different phrasing (kiss of love vs. holy kiss).
Alternative generated candidates
- Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss.
- Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss.
1Thess.5.27 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ενορκιζω: VERB,aor,act,ind,1,sg
- υμας: PRON,acc,pl,2
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- κυριον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- αναγνωσθηναι: VERB,aor,pass,inf
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- επιστολην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- πασιν: ADJ,dat,pl,m
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,n
- αδελφοις: NOUN,dat,pl,m
Parallels
- Colossians 4:16 (structural): Paul instructs that letters be read in other churches (‘when this letter is read among you… have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans’), directly parallel to the command to have the epistle read to all brothers.
- Revelation 1:3 (verbal): Pronounces a blessing on the one who reads aloud and those who hear, reflecting the early practice and importance of public reading that 1 Thessalonians 5:27 enjoins.
- 1 Timothy 4:13 (thematic): Paul (or the Pauline tradition) commands devotion to public reading of Scripture (‘public reading, exhortation, teaching’), thematically aligned with ordering epistles to be read publicly to the community.
- Acts 15:30-31 (structural): The Jerusalem council’s letter is delivered and read to the Gentile churches (Antioch), providing a narrative example of letters being read aloud to assemblies as required by 1 Thessalonians 5:27.
Alternative generated candidates
- I charge you by the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers.
- I charge you, by the Lord, to read this letter to all the brothers.
1Thess.5.28 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- χαρις: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- κυριου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- ημων: PRON,gen,pl,1
- Ιησου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- Χριστου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- μεθ᾽υμων: PREP+PRON,gen,pl,2
Parallels
- 2 Thessalonians 3:18 (verbal): Nearly identical closing benediction in the same wording: 'The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.'
- 1 Corinthians 16:23 (verbal): Pauline final greeting uses the same grace-formula as a benediction: 'The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you.'
- 2 Corinthians 13:14 (structural): Trinitarian benediction whose first clause echoes this formula ('The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ'); shows a common Pauline closing structure.
- Galatians 6:18 (verbal): Final benediction includes the same phrase ('The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit'), a close verbal parallel.
- Philemon 25 (verbal): Brief closing: 'The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.' — a closely related wording applied personally to the recipient.
Alternative generated candidates
- The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
- The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
But we ask you, brothers, to acknowledge those who labor among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you.
Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another.
We exhort you, brothers: admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, support the weak, be patient with everyone.
See that no one repays evil for evil, but always pursue what is good for one another and for all.
Rejoice always.
Pray without ceasing.
Give thanks in everything; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Do not quench the Spirit.
Do not despise prophecies.
Test everything; hold fast to what is good.
Abstain from every kind of evil.
May the God of peace himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
He who calls you is faithful—he will accomplish this.
Brothers, pray for us.
Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss.
I charge you by the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.