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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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;

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

Semper gaudete.

Joy be with you always.

Always rejoice.

Sine intermissione orate.

Never cease praying.

Pray without ceasing.

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

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

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

Spiritum nolite extinguere.

Do not stifle the utterances of the Spirit,

Extinguish not the spirit.

Prophetias nolite spernere.

do not hold prophecy in low esteem;

Despise not prophecies.

Omnia autem probate: quod bonum est tenete.

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

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

Ab omni specie mala abstinete vos.

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

From all appearance of evil refrain yourselves.

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.

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.

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.

Fidelis est, qui vocavit vos: qui etiam faciet.

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

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

Fratres, orate pro nobis.

Brethren, pray for us.

Brethren, pray for us.

Salutate fratres omnes in osculo sancto.

Greet all the brethren with the kiss of saints.

Salute all the brethren with a holy kiss.

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

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

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