De temporibus autem, et momentis, fratres, non indigetis ut scribamus vobis.

But of the times and moments, brethren, you need not, that we should write to you:

There is no need, brethren, to write to you about the times and the seasons of all this;

Ipsi enim diligenter scitis quia dies Domini, sicut fur in nocte, ita veniet:

For yourselves know perfectly, that the day of the Lord shall so come, as a thief in the night.

you are keeping it clearly in mind, without being told, that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.

cum enim dixerint: Pax et securitas: tunc repentinus eis superveniet interitus, sicut dolor in utero habenti, et non effugient.

For when they shall say, peace and security; then shall sudden destruction come upon them, as the pains upon her that is with child, and they shall not escape.

It is just when men are saying, All quiet, all safe, that doom will fall upon them suddenly, like the pangs that come to a woman in travail, and there will be no escape from it.

Vos autem, fratres, non estis in tenebris, ut vos dies illa tamquam fur comprehendat:

But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day should overtake you as a thief.

Whereas you, brethren, are not living in the darkness, for the day to take you by surprise, like a thief;

omnes enim vos filii lucis estis, et filii diei: non sumus noctis, neque tenebrarum.

For all you are the children of light, and children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.

no, you are all born to the light, born to the day; we do not belong to the night and its darkness.

Igitur non dormiamus sicut et ceteri, sed vigilemus, et sobrii simus.

Therefore, let us not sleep, as others do; but let us watch, and be sober.

We must not sleep on, then, like the rest of the world, we must watch and keep sober;

Qui enim dormiunt, nocte dormiunt: et qui ebrii sunt, nocte ebrii sunt.

For they that sleep, sleep in the night; and they that are drunk, are drunk in the night.

night is the sleeper’s time for sleeping, the drunkard’s time for drinking;

Nos autem, qui diei sumus, sobrii simus, induti loricam fidei et caritatis, et galeam spem salutis:

But let us, who are of the day, be sober, having on the breastplate of faith and charity, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.

we must keep sober, like men of the daylight. We must put on our breastplate, the breastplate of faith and love, our helmet, which is the hope of salvation.

quoniam non posuit nos Deus in iram, sed in acquisitionem salutis per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum,

For God hath not appointed us unto wrath, but unto the purchasing of salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

God has not destined us for vengeance; he means us to win salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,

qui mortuus est pro nobis: ut sive vigilemus, sive dormiamus, simul cum illo vivamus.

Who died for us; that, whether we watch or sleep, we may live together with him.

who has died for our sakes, that we, waking or sleeping, may find life with him.

Propter quod consolamini invicem, et ædificate alterutrum, sicut et facitis.

For which cause comfort one another; and edify one another, as you also do.

Go on, then, encouraging one another and building up one another’s faith.

Rogamus autem vos, fratres, ut noveritis eos qui laborant inter vos, et præsunt vobis in Domino, et monent vos,

And we beseech you, brethren, to know them who labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you:

Brethren, we would ask you to pay deference to those who work among you, those who have charge of you in the Lord, and give you directions;

ut habeatis illos abundantius in caritate propter opus illorum: pacem habete cum eis.

That you esteem them more abundantly in charity, for their work’s sake. Have peace with them.

make it a rule of charity to hold them in special esteem, in honour of the duty they perform, and maintain unity with them.

Rogamus autem vos, fratres, corripite inquietos, consolamini pusillanimes, suscipite infirmos, patientes estote ad omnes.

And we beseech you, brethren, rebuke the unquiet, comfort the feeble minded, support the weak, be patient towards all men.

And, brethren, let us make this appeal to you; warn the vagabonds, encourage the faint-hearted, support the waverers, be patient towards all.

Videte ne quis malum pro malo alicui reddat: sed semper quod bonum est sectamini in invicem, et in omnes.

See that none render evil for evil to any man; but ever follow that which is good towards each other, and towards all men.

See to it that nobody repays injury with injury; you must aim always at what is best, for one another and for all around you.

Semper gaudete.

Always rejoice.

Joy be with you always.

Sine intermissione orate.

Pray without ceasing.

Never cease praying.

In omnibus gratias agite: hæc est enim voluntas Dei in Christo Jesu in omnibus vobis.

In all things give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you all.

Give thanks upon all occasions; this is what God expects of you all in Christ Jesus.

Spiritum nolite extinguere.

Extinguish not the spirit.

Do not stifle the utterances of the Spirit,

Prophetias nolite spernere.

Despise not prophecies.

do not hold prophecy in low esteem;

Omnia autem probate: quod bonum est tenete.

But prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

and yet you must scrutinize it all carefully, retaining only what is good,

Ab omni specie mala abstinete vos.

From all appearance of evil refrain yourselves.

and rejecting all that has a look of evil about it.

Ipse autem Deus pacis sanctificet vos per omnia: ut integer spiritus vester, et anima, et corpus sine querela in adventu Domini nostri Jesu Christi servetur.

And may the God of peace himself sanctify you in all things; that your whole spirit, and soul, and body, may be preserved blameless in the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

So may the God of peace sanctify you wholly, keep spirit and soul and body unimpaired, to greet the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ without reproach.

Fidelis est, qui vocavit vos: qui etiam faciet.

He is faithful who hath called you, who also will do it.

The God who called you is true to his promise; he will not fail you.

Fratres, orate pro nobis.

Brethren, pray for us.

Brethren, pray for us.

Salutate fratres omnes in osculo sancto.

Salute all the brethren with a holy kiss.

Greet all the brethren with the kiss of saints.

Adjuro vos per Dominum ut legatur epistola hæc omnibus sanctis fratribus.

I charge you by the Lord, that this epistle be read to all the holy brethren.

I adjure you in the Lord’s name to see that this letter is read out to all our holy brethren.

Gratia Domini nostri Jesu Christi vobiscum. Amen.

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

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