1 Thessalonians 5:2
1 Now about the times and seasons, brothers, we do not need to write to you.
For you are fully aware that the Day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.
3 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 But you, brothers, are not in the darkness so that this day should overtake you like a thief.
Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- For you are fully aware that the Day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.
- KJV
- For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
- WEB
- For you yourselves know well that the day of the Lord comes like a thief in the night.
- ASV
- For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
- DARBY
- for ye know perfectly well yourselves, that the day of [the] Lord so comes as a thief by night.
- BLB
- For you⁺ yourselves thoroughly know that the day of the Lord comes in this way, as a thief in the night.
- ÅB
- Dere vet jo selv grant at Herrens dag kommer som en tyv om natten.
- OTB
- For dere er godt klar over at Herrens dag vil komme uventet, som en tyv om natten.
- B1930
- I vet jo selv grant at Herrens dag kommer som en tyv om natten.
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Revelation 16:15
“Behold, I am coming like a thief. Blessed is the one who remains awake and clothed, so that he will not go naked and let his shame be exposed.”
Read in context2 Peter 3:10
But the Day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar, the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and its works will be laid bare.
Read in contextMatthew 24:42–44
Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day on which your Lord will come.
Read in contextRevelation 3:3
Remember, then, what you have received and heard. Keep it and repent. If you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know the hour when I will come upon you.
Read in contextMatthew 25:13
Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.
Read in contextLuke 12:39–40
But understand this: If the homeowner had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into.
Read in contextMark 13:34–35
It is like a man going on a journey who left his house, put each servant in charge of his own task, and instructed the doorkeeper to keep watch.
Read in contextJeremiah 23:20
The anger of the LORD will not turn back until He has fully accomplished the purposes of His heart. In the days to come you will understand this clearly.
Read in context