Paul's First Letter To the Thessalonians

1 Thessalonians 1

Paul's Greeting

1 Paul, and Silvanus, and Timothy, to the congregation of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Gracious favor and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Thanks for Their Faith and Example

2 We always give thanks to God for all of you, making mention of you in our prayers;

3 We never cease remembering your work of faith, and your labor of love, and the cheerful endurance of your expectation in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of our God and Father;

4 Knowing, beloved brothers and sisters, that you have been chosen by God.

5 Because our Good News didn't come to you only in word, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit, and in much full assurance; even as you know what kind of people we were among you for your sake.

6 And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word with the joy of the Holy Spirit, in the midst of much oppression:

7 So you became examples to all of those who believe, in Macedonia and Greece.

8 For the Word of the Lord has echoed forth from you, not only in Macedonia and Greece, but also in every place where your faith towards God has emanated from; so that we don't need to say anything.

9 Because concerning us, they themselves declare what manner of entrance we had when we came to you, and how you turned to God from idols, to serve the living and true God,

10 And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead; Jesus, who delivered us from the anger to come.

1 Thessalonians 2

Paul's Example of Living

1 Because, brothers and sisters, you yourselves know that our coming to you was not in vain.

2 But even after we underwent hardship, and were mistreated in Philippi, as you know, we were bold in our God to proclaim the Good News about God to you, in spite of great opposition.

3 For our appeal didn't spring from error or impurity or in an attempt to deceive,

4 But since we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News, so we speak not as to please people, but God, who tests our hearts.

5 Because even as you yourselves know, neither at any time did we use flattering words as a cloak for covetousness, God is our witness.

6 Nor did we seek glory from people, either from you nor from others, even though as apostles of Christ we could have asserted  the weight of our power.

7 But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children.

8 So, affectionately longing for you, we thought it good to impart to you not only the Good News about God, but our own souls also, because you have become dear to us.

9 For, brothers and sisters, when we proclaimed the Good News about God to you, you remember our labor and toil; because we labored night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you.

10 You and God are witnesses, how devout and just and blameless we were among you who believe;

11 Indeed you yourselves know how we called you near; like a father does his children, and counseled you, and were a witness each one of you:

12 That you should walk worthy of God, who has called you into his own kingdom and glory.

They Received God's Word

13 For this reason we also unceasingly thank God: because when you received God's Word (which you heard from us) you welcomed it not as the word of mere human beings, but as it is in truth, God's Word, which also works actively in you who believe.

14 For, brothers and sisters, you became imitators of the congregations of God in Judah which are in Christ Jesus: because you also have suffered the same things from people of your own country, just as they have from the Jews:

15 Who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and have persecuted you; and they do not please God, but are hostile to all peoples:

16 Forbidding us to speak to those of the nations that they might be saved; so as always they fill up the measure of their sins; but anger has come upon them to the uttermost.

Paul’s Desire to See Them

17 But we, brothers and sisters, having been bereaved of you for an hour of time (in person, not in heart), with great longing we endeavor more eagerly to see your face.

18 Because of this we have wanted to come to you, even I, Paul, and indeed once and twice; but Satan hindered us.

19 For what is our expectation, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?

20 For you are our glory and our joy!

 1 Thessalonians 3

Timothy Sent to Encourage

1 Therefore, when we could no longer endure it, we thought it good to be left in Athens alone;

2 And to send Timothy, our brother and servant of God, and our co-worker in the Good News about Christ, to establish you and to encourage you concerning your faith:

3 That no one should be shaken by these persecutions; because you yourselves know that we are appointed to this. [Literally, pressures.]

4 For truly, when we were with you, we told you beforehand that we were going to suffer persecution; even as it has now happened, and you know.

5 For this reason, when I could no longer endure it, I sent Timothy to know the state of your faith, lest by some means the tester had tested you, and our labor might be in vain. [Or, enticer & enticed.]

Paul Encouraged by Timothy's Return

6 But now since Timothy has come to us from you, and brought us good news concerning your faith and love, and that you always have fond memories of us, greatly longing to see us, just as we also long to see you:

7 Because of this, brothers and sisters, in all our pressing situations and distress we were encouraged by you because of your faith.

8 Because now we live, if you stand firm in the Lord.

9 For how can we thank God enough for you, in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God, because of you;

10 Night and day pleading even more that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?

11 Now may God himself, even our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way to you.

12 And may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love toward one another, and toward everyone, even as we do toward you:

13 So that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his holy ones.

 1 Thessalonians 4

A Life Pleasing to God

1 Finally then, brothers and sisters, we urge you and counsel you in the Lord Jesus, just as you received from us how it's necessary for you to walk and to please God, that you may increase more and more,

2 Because you know what instructions we gave to you through the Lord Jesus:

3 For this is God's will, that you should be holy, that you should abstain from sexual immorality;

4 That each of you should know how to possess their own body in holiness and honor

5 (Not in lustful passion, like the nations also do, who do not know God).

6 That no one should take advantage of and covet their brother or sister in this regard: because the Lord is an avenger of all such! (Just as we have also forewarned and testified to you.)

7 Because God has not called us to impurity, but to holiness.

8 Therefore whoever rejects this, doesn't reject a mere human being, but God, who has also given us his Holy Spirit.

9 But concerning brotherly love, you do not need for me to write to you; for you yourselves are taught by God, to love one another.

10 And indeed you are doing so towards all the brothers and sisters who are in all Macedonia: but we urge you, brothers and sisters, that you may increase more and more;

11 And aspire to lead a quiet life, and to mind your own business, and to work with your hands, just as we instructed you,

12 That you may walk respectably before those who are outside, and may have need of nothing.

Comfort from the Knowledge of Christ's Return

13 But brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be ignorant concerning those who have fallen asleep, that you may not grieve as the rest who have no sure expectation do.

14 Because if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, so too God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus.

15 For this we tell you by the Word of the Lord, that we the living who remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who have fallen asleep.

16 Because the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the chief-messenger, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ will rise first:

17 Then we the living who remain, together with them will be caught away in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so we will always be with the Lord.

18 So comfort one another with these words.

 1 Thessalonians 5

Concerning the Day of the Lord

1 But concerning the times and the seasons, brothers and sisters, you have no need that I should write to you.

2 For you yourselves know perfectly well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.

3 For when they say, “Peace and security!” Then suddenly destruction will come upon them, like labor pains upon a pregnant woman; and they will by no means escape.

4 But brothers and sisters, you are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you like a thief.

5 You are all Sons of Light and Sons of the Day! We are not of the night, nor of darkness.

6 So we shouldn't sleep, like the rest also do; but we should be watchful and we should be sober.

7 For those who sleep, sleep at night; and those who get drunk, get drunk at night.

8 But we who are of the Day, should be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love; and for a helmet, the expectation of salvation.

9 Because God has not appointed us for his anger, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,

10 Who died for us, that, whether we are awake or asleep, we should live together with him.

11 So encourage one another, and build up one another, just as you also are doing.

Instructions in Christian Living

12 Now brothers and sisters, we urge you to recognize those who labor among you, and who stand before you in the Lord, and who remind you of these things;

13 And esteem them very highly in love, because of their work. And be at peace among yourselves.

14 But brothers and sisters, we implore you: warn those who are unruly; encourage those who are discouraged; support those who are weak; be patient with everyone;

15 See that no one repays evil for evil to anyone; but always pursue that which is good both for each other; and for everyone.

16 Always rejoice;

17 Never stop praying;

18 In everything give thanks; because this is God's will in Christ Jesus concerning you.

19 Don't quench the Spirit;

20 Don't despise prophesying;

21 Test everything, hold on to that which is good.

22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.

Blessing and Guidance

23 Now may the God of peace himself make you completely holy; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blamelessly at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

24 He who called you is faithful, who will also perform it.

25 Brothers and sisters, pray for us.

26 Embrace all the brothers and sisters with a holy kiss.

27 I put you under oath before the Lord: this letter is to be read to all the holy brothers and sisters.

28 The gracious favor of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all!

Amen! (Indeed!)