Final Instructions and Benediction

1 Thessalonians 5

12 We ask you, brothers, m to respect those who labor among you and n are over you in the Lord and admonish you, 13 and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. o Be at peace among yourselves. 14 And we urge you, brothers, admonish p the idle, 1 q encourage the fainthearted, r help the weak, s be patient with them all. 15 See that t no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always u seek to do good to one another and to everyone. 16 v Rejoice always, 17 w pray without ceasing, 18 x give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19 y Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise z prophecies, 21 but a test everything; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil.

23 Now may b the God of peace himself c sanctify you completely, and may your d whole e spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at f the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 g He who calls you is faithful; h he will surely do it.

25 i Brothers, pray for us.

26 j Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss.

27 I put you under oath before the Lord to have k this letter read to all the brothers.

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

  1. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 16:18
    For they refreshed my spirit as well as yours. Give recognition to such men.
    Philippians 2:29
    So receive him in the Lord with all joy, and honor such men.
  2. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 16:16
    Be subject to such as these, and to every fellow worker and laborer.
    Hebrews 13:17
    Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.
  3. Cross References
    Mark 9:50
    Salt is good, but if the salt has lost its saltiness, how will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.
  4. Cross References
    2 Thessalonians 3:6 - 7
    Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us.
    2 Thessalonians 3:11
    For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies.
  5. Cross References
    Isaiah 35:4
    Say to those who have an anxious heart, "Be strong; fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you.
    Hebrews 12:12
    Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees.
  6. Cross References
    Acts 20:35
    In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'
    Romans 15:1
    We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
  7. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 13:4
    Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant
  8. Cross References
    1 Peter 3:9
    Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.
    Romans 12:17
    Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.
  9. Cross References
    Romans 12:9
    Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.
    Galatians 6:10
    So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
  10. Cross References
    Philippians 4:4
    Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.
  11. Cross References
    Luke 18:1
    And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.
  12. Cross References
    Ephesians 5:20
    Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
  13. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 14:30
    If a revelation is made to another sitting there, let the first be silent.
    Ephesians 4:30
    And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
    1 Timothy 4:14
    Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you.
    2 Timothy 1:6
    For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.
  14. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 11:4
    Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head.
  15. Cross References
    1 John 4:1
    Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.
    Job 34:4
    Let us choose what is right; let us know among ourselves what is good.
    Ephesians 5:10
    And try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord.
  16. Cross References
    Romans 15:33
    May the God of peace be with you all. Amen.
  17. Cross References
    Exodus 31:13
    You are to speak to the people of Israel and say, 'Above all you shall keep my Sabbaths, for this is a sign between me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I, the Lord, sanctify you.
    John 17:17
    Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.
  18. Cross References
    2 Peter 3:14
    Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace.
    Jude 1:1
    Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James, To those who are called, beloved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ:
  19. Cross References
    Luke 1:46 - 47
    And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord.
    Hebrews 4:12
    For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
    1 Corinthians 14:14
    For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays but my mind is unfruitful.
  20. Cross References
    1 Thessalonians 2:19
    For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you?
  21. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 1:9
    God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
  22. Cross References
    Philippians 1:6
    And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
  23. Cross References
    2 Thessalonians 3:1
    Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you.
    Hebrews 13:18
    Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honorably in all things.
  24. Cross References
    Romans 16:16
    Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.
  25. Cross References
    Colossians 4:16
    And when this letter has been read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you also read the letter from Laodicea.
  26. Cross References
    Romans 16:20
    The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.
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