To talk of the time of the Resurrection is not necessary, but to prepare ourselves against that time (so sudden and so terrible) to the unprepared. 12 He beseecheth the laity to be obedient, 14 and the Clergy to be vigilant, with many short precepts more.To talke of the time of the Resurrection is not necessarie, but to prepare our selues against that time (so sodaine and so terrible) to the vnprepared. 12 He beseecheth the laitie to be obedient, 14 and the Clergie to be vigilant, vvith many short precepts moe.✦
And of the times and moments, brethren, you need not that we write to you.AND of the times and momentes, brethren, you neede not that vve vvrite to you.✦De temporibus autem, et momentis, fratres, non indigetis ut scribamus vobis.
2For your selves know perfectly that the day of our Lord shall so come, as a thief in the night.For your selues knovv perfectly that the day of our Lord shal so come, as * a theefe in the night.✦Ipsi enim diligenter scitis quia dies Domini, sicut fur in nocte, ita veniet :
3For when they shall say, peace and securitas: a false sense of safety, complacency: then shall sudden destruction come upon them, as the pains to her that is with child, and they shall not escape.For vvhen they shal say, peace & securitie: then shal sodaine destruction come vpon them, as the paines to her that is vvith childe, and they shal not escape.✦cum enim dixerint : Pax et securitas : tunc repentinus eis superveniet interitus, sicut dolor in utero habenti, et non effugient.
4But you brethren are not in darkness: that the same day may, as a thief overtake you.But you brethren are not in darknesse: that the same day may, as a theefe ouertake you.✦Vos autem, fratres, non estis in tenebris, ut vos dies illa tamquam fur comprehendat :
5For all you are the children of light, and children of the day: we are not of the night nor of darkness.For al you are the children of light, and children of the day: vve are not of the night nor of darknesse.✦omnes enim vos filii lucis estis, et filii diei : non sumus noctis, neque tenebrarum.
6Therefore let us not sleep as also others: but let us watch and be sober.Therfore let vs not sleepe as also others: but let vs vvatch and be sober.✦Igitur non dormiamus sicut et ceteri, sed vigilemus, et sobrii simus.
7For they that sleep, sleep in the night: and they that be drunk, be drunk in the night.For they that sleepe, sleepe in the night: & they that be drunke, be drunke in the night.Qui enim dormiunt, nocte dormiunt : et qui ebrii sunt, nocte ebrii sunt.
8But we that are of the day, are sober, having on the breastplate of faith and charity, and a helmet, the hope of salvation.But vve that are of the day, are sober, * hauing on the breast-plate of faith and charitie, and a helmet, the hope of saluation.✦Nos autem, qui diei sumus, sobrii simus, induti loricam fidei et caritatis, et galeam spem salutis :
9For God hath not appointed us unto wrath, but unto the acquisitionem: obtaining, acquisition: not a commercial buying of salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,For God hath not appointed vs vnto vvrath, but vnto the purchasing of saluation by our Lord IESVS Christ,✦quoniam non posuit nos Deus in iram, sed in acquisitionem salutis per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum,
10who died for us that whether we watch, or sleep, we may live together with him.vvho died for vs that vvhether vve vvatch, or sleepe, vve may liue together vvith him.¶✦qui mortuus est pro nobis : ut sive vigilemus, sive dormiamus, simul cum illo vivamus.
11For the which cause comfort one another: and edify one another, as also you do.For the vvhich cause comfort one an other: & edifie one an other, as also you doe.✦Propter quod consolamini invicem, et ædificate alterutrum, sicut et facitis.
12And we beseech you brethren, that you will know them that labour among you, and that govern you in our Lord, and admonish you:And vve beseeche you brethren, that you vvil knovv them that labour among you, and that gouerne you in our Lord, and admonish you:✦Rogamus autem vos, fratres, ut noveritis eos qui laborant inter vos, et præsunt vobis in Domino, et monent vos,
13that you have them more abundantly in charity for their work. have peace with them.that you haue them more aboundantly in charitie for their vvorke. haue peace vvith them.ut habeatis illos abundantius in caritate propter opus illorum : pacem habete cum eis.
14And we beseech you brethren, admonish the inquietos: the unruly, disorderly, comfort the weak-pusillanimes: the faint-hearted, discouraged: not the feeble in intellect, bear up the weak, be patient to all.b And vve beseeche you brethren, admonish the vnquiet, comfort the vveake-minded, beare vp the vveake, be patient to al.✦Rogamus autem vos, fratres, corripite inquietos, consolamini pusillanimes, suscipite infirmos, patientes estote ad omnes.
15See that none render evil for evil to any man: but always that which is good pursue towards each other, and towards all.See that * none render euil for euil to any man: but alvvaies that vvhich is good pursue tovvards eche other, and tovvards al.✦Videte ne quis malum pro malo alicui reddat : sed semper quod bonum est sectamini in invicem, et in omnes.
16Always rejoice.Alvvaies reioyce.✦Semper gaudete.
17Pray without intermissione: ceasing, interruption.* Pray c vvithout intermission.✦Sine intermissione orate.
18In all things give thanks. for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus in all you.In al things giue thankes. for this is the vvil of God in Christ IESVS in al you.In omnibus gratias agite : hæc est enim voluntas Dei in Christo Jesu in omnibus vobis.
19The Spirit extinguish not.The Spirit extinguish not.✦Spiritum nolite extinguere.
20Prophecies despise not.Prophecies despise not.✦Prophetias nolite spernere.
21But probate: to test, examine: not to demonstrate all things: hold that which is good.But prooue al things: hold that vvhich is good.✦Omnia autem probate : quod bonum est tenete.
22From all specie: outward show, semblance; kind, sort of evil refrain yourselves.From al appearance of euil refraine your selues.✦Ab omni specie mala abstinete vos.
23And the God of peace himself sanctify you in all things: that your whole spirit, and soul and body without blame may be preserved in the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.And the God of peace him self sanctifie you in al things: that your vvhole spirit, and soule and body vvithout blame may be preserued in the comming of our Lord IESVS Christ.✦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.
24He is faithful, that hath called you, who also will do it.¶ He is faithful, that hath called you, vvho also vvil doe it.✦Fidelis est, qui vocavit vos : qui etiam faciet.
25Brethren pray for us.Brethren pray for vs.Fratres, orate pro nobis.
26Salute all the brethren in a holy kiss.Salute al the brethren in a holy kisse.✦Salutate fratres omnes in osculo sancto.
27I adjuro: solemnly charge under oath you by our Lord that this epistle be read to all the holy brethren.I adiure you by our Lord that this epistle be read to al the holy brethren.Adjuro vos per Dominum ut legatur epistola hæc omnibus sanctis fratribus.
28The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.The grace of our Lord IESVS Christ be vvith you. Amen.Gratia Domini nostri Jesu Christi vobiscum. Amen.
Annotationsfrom the original 1582 Rheims New Testament
10But prove. Though we may not extinguish the spirit, nor contemn the prophets, yet we must beware we be not deceived by giving too light credit to every one that vaunteth himself of the spirit, as Arch-heretics ever did. We must try them by the doctrine of the Apostles and the Spirit of the Catholic Church, which cannot beguile us.But prooue. Though vve may not extinguish the spirit, nor cōtemne the prophets, yet vve must bevvare vve be not deceiued by geuing to light credite to euery one that vaunteth him self of the spirit, as Arch-heretikes euer did. vve must trie thē by the doctrine of the Apostles & the Spirit of the Catholike Church, vvhich can not beguile vs.
The reading text follows the 1582 first edition. Facsimile available in two scans.