Kehillah in Thessalonika I 5

1But concerning the ittim (times) and the zmanim (seasons), Chaverim, you have no need for you to have anything in writing.

2For you yourselves know very well that the Yom Hashem comes like a ganav balailah (thief in the night).

3Whenever they say, " Shalom and Bitachon!" then sudden churban (destruction) will come upon them like the chevlei leydah (birth pangs) of the isha with a baby in her womb. And they can certainly not escape.

4But you, Achim b'Moshiach, are not in choshech that the Yom should overtake you like a ganav.

5For all of you are Bnei Ohr and Bnei Yom; we are not of the Lailah nor of the Choshech.

6Therefore, let us not " sleep" as the rest, but let us keep awake with zililut da'as (sober-mindedness).

7For the ones sleeping sleep balailah, and the ones indulging in shichrut (drunkenness) indulge in shichrut balailah.

8But we, being Bnei Yom, let us be bnei zililut da'as (sons of sober-mindedness), having clothed ourselves with the choshen (breastplate) of emunah and ahavah (agape) and as a KOVAH (helmet, YESHAYAH 59:17) the tikvah of Yeshu'at Eloheynu.

9Because Hashem did not appoint us to charon af (the burning wrath) but to the attainment of Yeshu'at Eloheinu through Adoneinu, Moshiach Yehoshua/Yeshua [Zech 6:11-12; Ezra 3:8].

10He is the one who made his histalkus and died on our behalf in order that whether we are [living] and awake or [passed away] and sleeping, we may live together with Moshiach.

11Therefore, give chozek (strength) and encouragement, building up one another, as indeed you are doing.

12Now we ask you, Achim b'Moshiach, to have discerning binah (understanding) and discern the ones laboring among you who are your Mashgichim Ruchaniyim (Spiritual Overseers) in Adoneinu. I'm referring to the ones who admonish and warn you.

13And esteem them most exceedingly in ahavah (agape), because of their avodas kodesh work. Let there be shalom bayis (family peace) also in the kehillah.

14And we exhort you, Achim b'Moshiach, warn the batlanim (unemployed or lazy loafers, idlers), comfort the congregant who is pachdan (fainthearted), those who are weak take an interest in, have zitzfleisch (patience) with all.

15See that no one returns ra'ah for ra'ah, but always pursue haTov both for one another and for all.

16Have simcha always.

17Daven unceasingly.

18In everything offer hodayah, for this is the ratzon Hashem in Moshiach Yehoshua/Yeshua [Zech 6:11-12; Ezra 3:8] for you.

19Do not quench the Ruach Hakodesh.

20Do not reject nevu'ot (prophecies).

21But test kol davar (everything); hold fast to haTov.

22Abstain from every appearance of ra'ah (evil).

23And now Elohei HaShalom wholly set you apart as Kadoshim and may your whole ruach and nefesh and basar be preserved without blame at the Bi'as HaMoshiach Adoneinu Yehoshua/Yeshua [Zech 6:11-12; Ezra 3:8].

24Ne'eman (Faithful) is the One who summons you to your kri'ah (calling). He will do it.

25Achim b'Moshiach, offer tefillos also concerning us.

26Say Drishat Shalom to all the Achim b'Moshiach with a neshikat kedoshah.

27By Adoneinu, I solemnly give you the directive that this iggeret hakodesh has to be read to all the Achim b'Moshiach.

28The Chen v'Chesed of Adoneinu, Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach Yehoshua/Yeshua [Zech 6:11-12; Ezra 3:8], be with you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