1 Thessalonians 5:12-28

12Our friends, we ask you to respect your leaders who work hard among you. They lead you and they teach you what is right on the Lord's behalf.

13Show them how valuable they are to you. And love them very much because of the work that they do. Live at peace among yourselves.

14Friends, you must warn lazy people that they should work. If people are afraid, help them to be brave. If people are weak, take care of them. Be patient with everyone.

15If someone does something bad against you, do not do anything bad against them in return. Never do that. Instead, always try to do good things that will help one other and help everyone else.

16Always be happy.

17Pray at all times.

18Whatever may happen to you, continue to thank God. God wants you to do that, because you belong to Christ Jesus.

19Do not stop the work of God's Spirit.

20When people speak messages on God's behalf, do not refuse to listen.

21Instead, think carefully about everything, to see if it is true. Remember to obey anything that is good.

22But keep away from any kind of bad thing.

23I pray that God will help you to be completely good, as his people should be. He is the one who gives us peace in our minds. I pray that he will take care of you in every way, in your spirit, in your soul and in your body. Then you will not be guilty of anything that is bad, when our Lord Jesus Christ returns.

24God has chosen you to be his people. We can trust him to do what he has promised to do. So he will do all this for you.

25Our Christian friends, please pray for us.

26Say ‘hello’ to all the believers on our behalf, and kiss them as Christian brothers and sisters.

27I tell you very seriously on the Lord's behalf, please read this letter to all the believers there.

28I pray that our Lord Jesus Christ will continue to be very kind to you.