Colossians 1 - 2 Thessalonians 1
New American Standard Bible
Thankfulness for Spiritual Attainments
1 (A)Paul, (B)an apostle of Christ Jesus [a](C)by the will of God, and (D)Timothy [b]our brother,
2 To the [c](E)saints and faithful brothers and sisters in Christ who are at Colossae: (F)Grace to you and peace from God our Father.
3 (G)We [d]give thanks to God, (H)the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, 4 (I)since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the (J)love which you have [e]for (K)all the [f]saints; 5 because of the (L)hope (M)reserved for you in [g]heaven, of which you previously (N)heard in the word of truth, [h]the gospel 6 which has come to you, just as [i](O)in all the world also it is bearing (P)fruit and [j]increasing, even as it has been doing in you also since the day you (Q)heard it and [k]understood the grace of God in truth; 7 just as you learned it from (R)Epaphras, our (S)beloved fellow bond-servant, who is a faithful servant of Christ on our behalf, 8 and he also informed us of your (T)love in the Spirit.
9 For this reason we also, (U)since the day we heard about it, (V)have not ceased praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the [l](W)knowledge of His will in all spiritual (X)wisdom and understanding, 10 so that you will (Y)walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, [m](Z)to please Him in all respects, (AA)bearing fruit in every good work and [n]increasing in the [o]knowledge of God; 11 (AB)strengthened with all power, according to [p]His glorious might, [q]for the attaining of all perseverance and [r]patience; (AC)joyously 12 giving thanks to (AD)the Father, who has qualified us [s]to share in (AE)the inheritance of the [t]saints in (AF)light.
The Incomparable Christ
13 [u]For He rescued us from the [v](AG)domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of [w](AH)His beloved Son, 14 (AI)in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
15 [x]He is the (AJ)image of the (AK)invisible God, the (AL)firstborn of all creation: 16 for [y](AM)by Him all things were created, (AN)both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether (AO)thrones, or dominions, or rulers, or authorities—(AP)all things have been created through Him and for Him. 17 He [z](AQ)is before all things, and in Him all things [aa]hold together. 18 He is also the (AR)head of (AS)the body, the church; and He is (AT)the beginning, (AU)the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything. 19 For [ab]it was (AV)the Father’s good pleasure for all (AW)the [ac]fullness to dwell in Him, 20 and through Him to (AX)reconcile all things to Himself, (AY)whether things on earth or things in [ad]heaven, having made (AZ)peace through (BA)the blood of His cross.
21 And although you were (BB)previously alienated and hostile in attitude, engaged in evil deeds, 22 yet He has now (BC)reconciled you in His (BD)body of flesh through death, in order to (BE)present you before Him (BF)holy and blameless and beyond reproach— 23 if indeed you continue in [ae]the faith firmly (BG)established and steadfast, and not shifting from the (BH)hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed (BI)in all creation under heaven, (BJ)and of which I, Paul, [af]was made a [ag](BK)minister.
24 (BL)Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh (BM)I am supplementing what is lacking [ah]in Christ’s afflictions in behalf of (BN)His body, which is the church. 25 (BO)I [ai]was made a minister of this church according to the (BP)commission from God granted to me for your benefit, so that I might [aj]fully carry out the preaching of the word of God, 26 that is, (BQ)the mystery which had been hidden from the past ages and generations, but now has been revealed to His [ak]saints, 27 to whom (BR)God willed to make known what (BS)the wealth of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles is, the mystery that is (BT)Christ in you, the (BU)hope of glory. 28 We proclaim Him, (BV)admonishing every person and teaching every person [al]with all (BW)wisdom, so that we may (BX)present every person [am](BY)complete in Christ. 29 For this purpose I also (BZ)labor, (CA)striving (CB)according to His [an]power which [ao]works mightily within me.
You Are Built Up in Christ
2 For I want you to know how great a (CC)struggle I have in your behalf and for those who are at (CD)Laodicea, and for all those who have not [ap]personally seen my face, 2 that their (CE)hearts may be encouraged, having been (CF)knit together in love, and that they would attain to all (CG)the wealth [aq]that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a (CH)true knowledge of (CI)God’s mystery, that is, Christ Himself, 3 in whom are hidden all (CJ)the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 (CK)I say this so that no one will deceive you with (CL)persuasive arguments. 5 For even though I am (CM)absent in body, I am nevertheless with you in spirit, rejoicing [ar]to see [as]your (CN)orderly manner and the (CO)stability of your faith in Christ.
6 Therefore, as you have received (CP)Christ Jesus the Lord, so [at](CQ)walk in Him, 7 having been firmly (CR)rooted and now being (CS)built up in Him and (CT)established [au]in [av]your faith, just as you (CU)were instructed, and overflowing [aw]with gratitude.
8 (CV)See to it that there is no one who takes you captive through (CW)philosophy and empty deception in accordance with human tradition, in accordance with the (CX)elementary principles of the world, [ax]rather than in accordance with Christ. 9 For in Him all the (CY)fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, 10 and in Him you have been (CZ)made [ay]complete, and (DA)He is the head [az]over every (DB)ruler and authority; 11 and in Him (DC)you were also circumcised with a circumcision performed without hands, in the removal of (DD)the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ, 12 having been (DE)buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also (DF)raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who (DG)raised Him from the dead. 13 And [ba]when you were (DH)dead [bb]in your wrongdoings and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He (DI)made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our wrongdoings, 14 having canceled (DJ)the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and (DK)He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. 15 When He had [bc](DL)disarmed the (DM)rulers and authorities, He (DN)made a public display of them, having (DO)triumphed over them through [bd]Him.
16 Therefore, no one is to [be](DP)act as your judge in regard to (DQ)food and (DR)drink, or in respect to a (DS)festival or a (DT)new moon, or a (DU)Sabbath [bf]day— 17 things which are only a (DV)shadow of what is to come; but the [bg]substance [bh]belongs to Christ. 18 Take care that no one keeps [bi](DW)defrauding you of your prize by (DX)delighting in humility and the worship of the angels, [bj]taking his stand on visions he has seen, [bk](DY)inflated without cause by his (DZ)fleshly mind, 19 and not holding firmly to (EA)the head, from whom (EB)the entire body, being supplied and held together by the joints and [bl]ligaments, grows with a growth [bm]which is from God.
20 (EC)If you have died with Christ [bn]to the (ED)elementary principles of the world, (EE)why, as if you were living in the world, do you submit yourself to (EF)decrees, such as, 21 “Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!” 22 (which all refer (EG)to things destined to perish [bo]with use)—in accordance with the (EH)commandments and teachings of man? 23 These are matters which do have the [bp]appearance of wisdom in [bq](EI)self-made religion and humility and (EJ)severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against (EK)fleshly indulgence.
Put On the New Self
3 Therefore, if you have been (EL)raised with Christ, keep seeking the things that are above, where Christ is, (EM)seated at the right hand of God. 2 [br](EN)Set your minds on the things that are above, not on the things that are on earth. 3 For you have (EO)died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, (EP)who is our life, is revealed, (EQ)then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.
5 (ER)Therefore, [bs]treat (ES)the parts of your earthly body as dead to (ET)sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which [bt]amounts to idolatry. 6 For it is because of these things that (EU)the wrath of God is coming [bu]upon the [bv]sons of disobedience, 7 and (EV)in them you also once walked, when you were living [bw]in them. 8 But now you also, (EW)rid yourselves of all of them: (EX)anger, wrath, malice, slander, and (EY)obscene speech from your mouth. 9 [bx](EZ)Do not lie to one another, since you (FA)stripped off the old [by]self with its evil practices, 10 and have (FB)put on the new self, which is being [bz](FC)renewed to a true knowledge (FD)according to the image of the One who (FE)created it— 11 a renewal in which (FF)there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, (FG)circumcised and uncircumcised, [ca](FH)barbarian, [cb]Scythian, (FI)slave, and free, but (FJ)Christ is all, and in all.
12 So, as those who have been (FK)chosen of God, holy and beloved, (FL)put on a (FM)heart of compassion, kindness, (FN)humility, gentleness, and [cc](FO)patience; 13 (FP)bearing with one another, and (FQ)forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; (FR)just as the Lord forgave you, so must you do also. 14 In addition to all these things put on love, which is [cd](FS)the perfect bond of (FT)unity. 15 Let (FU)the peace of Christ, to which you were [ce]indeed called in (FV)one body, [cf]rule in your hearts; and [cg]be thankful. 16 Let (FW)the word of [ch]Christ richly dwell within you, [ci]with all wisdom (FX)teaching and admonishing [cj]one another (FY)with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, (FZ)singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 (GA)Whatever you do in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, (GB)giving thanks through Him to God the Father.
Family Relations
18 (GC)Wives, (GD)be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19 (GE)Husbands, love your wives and do not become bitter against them. 20 (GF)Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing [ck]to the Lord. 21 (GG)Fathers, do not [cl]antagonize your children, so that they will not become discouraged.
22 [cm](GH)Slaves, obey those who are your [cn]human masters in everything, (GI)not with [co]eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, do your work [cp]heartily, (GJ)as for the Lord and not for people, 24 (GK)knowing that it is from the Lord that you will receive the reward [cq]of (GL)the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you (GM)serve. 25 For (GN)the one who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and [cr](GO)that without partiality.
4 Masters, grant your slaves justice and fairness, (GP)knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.
2 (GQ)Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving; 3 praying at the same time (GR)for us as well, that God will open up to us a (GS)door for (GT)the word, so that we may proclaim (GU)the mystery of Christ, for which I have also (GV)been imprisoned; 4 that I may make it clear (GW)in the way that I ought to proclaim it.
5 [cs](GX)Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward (GY)outsiders, [ct](GZ)making the most of the opportunity. 6 (HA)Your speech must always be [cu]with grace, as though seasoned with (HB)salt, so that you will know how you should (HC)respond to each person.
7 (HD)As to all my affairs, (HE)Tychicus, our (HF)beloved brother and faithful servant and fellow bond-servant in the Lord, will bring you information. 8 (HG)For I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know about our circumstances and that he may (HH)encourage your hearts; 9 [cv]and with him is (HI)Onesimus, our faithful and (HJ)beloved brother, (HK)who is one of your own. They will inform you about the whole situation here.
10 (HL)Aristarchus, my (HM)fellow prisoner, sends you his greetings; and also (HN)Barnabas’ cousin Mark (about whom you received [cw]instructions; (HO)if he comes to you, welcome him); 11 and also Jesus who is called Justus; these are the only (HP)fellow workers for the kingdom of God (HQ)who are from the circumcision, and they have proved to be an encouragement to me. 12 (HR)Epaphras, (HS)who is one of your own, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, sends you his greetings, always (HT)striving earnestly for you in his prayers, that you may [cx]stand [cy](HU)mature and [cz]fully assured in all the will of God. 13 For I testify for him that he has [da]a deep concern for you and for those who are in (HV)Laodicea and Hierapolis. 14 (HW)Luke, the beloved physician, sends you his greetings, and (HX)Demas does also. 15 Greet the brothers and sisters who are in (HY)Laodicea and also [db]Nympha and (HZ)the church that is in [dc]her house. 16 (IA)When [dd]this letter is read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and you, for your part, (IB)read [de]my letter that is coming from (IC)Laodicea. 17 Tell (ID)Archippus, “See to the (IE)ministry which you have received in the Lord, so that you may [df]fulfill it.”
18 [dg]I, Paul, (IF)write this greeting with my own hand. (IG)Remember my [dh](IH)imprisonment. (II)Grace be with you.
Giving Thanks for These Believers
1 (IJ)Paul, (IK)Silvanus, and (IL)Timothy,
To the (IM)church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: (IN)Grace to you and peace.
2 (IO)We always give thanks to God for all of you, (IP)making mention of you in our prayers; 3 constantly keeping in mind your (IQ)work of faith and labor of (IR)love and [di](IS)perseverance of hope [dj]in our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of (IT)our God and Father, 4 knowing, (IU)brothers and sisters, beloved by God, (IV)His choice of you; 5 for our (IW)gospel did not come to you in word only, but also (IX)in power and in the Holy Spirit and with (IY)full conviction; just as you know (IZ)what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sakes. 6 You also became (JA)imitators of us and of the Lord, (JB)having received (JC)the word during great affliction with the (JD)joy of the Holy Spirit, 7 so that you became an example to all the believers in (JE)Macedonia and (JF)Achaia. 8 For (JG)the word of the Lord has (JH)sounded forth from you, not only in (JI)Macedonia and (JJ)Achaia, but (JK)in every place the news of your faith toward God has gone out, so that we have no need to say anything. 9 For they themselves report about us [dk]as to the kind of (JL)reception we had with you, and how you (JM)turned to God (JN)from [dl]idols to serve [dm](JO)a living and true God, 10 and to (JP)wait for His Son from [dn]heaven, whom He (JQ)raised from the dead, that is, Jesus who (JR)rescues us from (JS)the wrath to come.
Paul’s Ministry
2 For you yourselves know, brothers and sisters, that our [do](JT)reception among you (JU)was not in vain, 2 but after we had already suffered and been (JV)treated abusively in (JW)Philippi, as you know, we had the boldness in our God (JX)to speak to you the (JY)gospel of God [dp]amid much [dq](JZ)opposition. 3 For our (KA)exhortation does not come from (KB)error or (KC)impurity or [dr]by way of (KD)deceit; 4 (KE)but just as we have been approved by God to be (KF)entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, (KG)not intending to please people, but to please God, who [ds](KH)examines our hearts. 5 For we never came [dt]with flattering speech, as you know, nor with (KI)a pretext [du]for greed—(KJ)God is our witness— 6 nor did we (KK)seek honor from people, either from you or from others, though [dv]we could have [dw]asserted our authority as (KL)apostles of Christ. 7 But we [dx]proved to be [dy](KM)gentle [dz]among you. (KN)As a nursing mother [ea]tenderly cares for her own children, 8 in the same way we had a fond affection for you and were delighted to (KO)share with you not only the (KP)gospel of God, but also our own [eb]lives, because you had become [ec]very dear to us.
9 For you recall, brothers and sisters, our (KQ)labor and hardship: it was by (KR)working night and day so as not to be a (KS)burden to any of you, that we proclaimed to you the (KT)gospel of God. 10 You are witnesses, and so is (KU)God, of (KV)how devoutly and rightly and blamelessly we [ed]behaved toward you [ee]believers; 11 just as you know how we were (KW)exhorting and encouraging and (KX)imploring each one of you as (KY)a father would his own children, 12 so that you would (KZ)walk in a manner worthy of the God who (LA)calls you into His own kingdom and (LB)glory.
13 For this reason we also constantly (LC)thank God that when you received the (LD)word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it (LE)not as the word of mere men, but as what it really is, the word of God, (LF)which also is at work in you who believe. 14 For you, brothers and sisters, became (LG)imitators of (LH)the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are (LI)in Judea, for (LJ)you also endured the same sufferings at the hands of your own countrymen, (LK)even as they did from the Jews, 15 (LL)who both killed the Lord Jesus and (LM)the prophets, and [ef]drove us out. [eg]They are not pleasing to God, [eh]but hostile to all people, 16 (LN)hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles (LO)so that they may be saved; with the result that they always [ei](LP)reach the limit of their sins. But (LQ)wrath has come upon them [ej]fully.
17 But we, brothers and sisters, having been orphaned from you by absence for a [ek]short while—(LR)in [el]person, not in [em]spirit—were all the more eager with great desire (LS)to see your face. 18 [en]For (LT)we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, [eo](LU)more than once—and (LV)Satan (LW)hindered us. 19 For who is our hope, or (LX)joy or crown of pride, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His [ep](LY)coming? Or is it not indeed you? 20 For you are (LZ)our glory and joy.
Encouragement of Timothy’s Visit
3 Therefore, (MA)when we could no longer endure it, we thought it best to be left behind, alone at (MB)Athens, 2 and we sent (MC)Timothy, our brother and God’s fellow worker in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you for the benefit of your faith, 3 so that no one would be [eq]disturbed by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that (MD)we have been destined for this. 4 For even when we were with you, we kept telling you in advance that we were going to suffer affliction; [er](ME)and so it happened, [es]as you know. 5 For this reason, (MF)when I could no longer endure it, I also (MG)sent to [et]find out about your faith, for fear that (MH)the tempter might have tempted you, and (MI)our labor would be for nothing.
6 But now that (MJ)Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us good news of (MK)your faith and love, and that you always (ML)think kindly of us, longing to see us just as we also long to see you, 7 for this reason, brothers and sisters, in all our distress and affliction we were comforted about you through your faith; 8 for now we really live, if you (MM)stand firm in the Lord. 9 For (MN)what thanks can we give to God for you in return for all the joy with which we rejoice because of you before our God, 10 as we (MO)keep praying most earnestly night and day that we may (MP)see your faces, and may (MQ)complete what is lacking in your faith?
11 (MR)Now may (MS)our God and Father (MT)Himself, and our Lord Jesus, (MU)direct our way to you; 12 and may the Lord cause you to increase and (MV)overflow in love for one another, and for all people, just as we also do for you; 13 so that He may (MW)establish your hearts (MX)blameless in holiness before (MY)our God and Father at the [eu](MZ)coming of our Lord Jesus (NA)with all His [ev]saints.
Sanctification and Love
4 (NB)Finally then, (NC)brothers and sisters, we request and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received instruction from us as to how you ought to [ew](ND)walk and (NE)please God (just as you actually do [ex]walk), that you (NF)excel even more. 2 For you know what instructions we gave you [ey]by the authority of the Lord Jesus. 3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you (NG)abstain from sexual immorality; 4 that (NH)each of you know how to [ez]possess his own [fa](NI)vessel in sanctification and (NJ)honor, 5 not in [fb](NK)lustful passion, like the Gentiles who (NL)do not know God; 6 and that no one violate the rights and (NM)take advantage of his brother or sister (NN)in the matter, because (NO)the Lord is the avenger in all these things, just as we also (NP)told you previously and solemnly warned you. 7 For (NQ)God has not called us for [fc](NR)impurity, but in sanctification. 8 Therefore, the one who rejects this is not rejecting man, but the God who (NS)gives His Holy Spirit to you.
9 Now as to the (NT)love of the brothers and sisters, you (NU)have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves are (NV)taught by God to love one another; 10 for indeed (NW)you practice it toward all the brothers and sisters who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers and sisters, to (NX)excel even more, 11 and to make it your ambition (NY)to lead a quiet life and (NZ)attend to your own business and (OA)work with your hands, just as we instructed you, 12 so that you will [fd](OB)behave properly toward (OC)outsiders and [fe](OD)not be in any need.
Those Who Died in Christ
13 But (OE)we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who [ff](OF)are asleep, so that you will not grieve as indeed (OG)the rest of mankind do, who have (OH)no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose from the dead, (OI)so also God will bring with Him (OJ)those who have fallen asleep [fg]through Jesus. 15 For we say this to you (OK)by the word of the Lord, that (OL)we who are alive [fh]and remain until (OM)the coming of the Lord will not precede (ON)those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord (OO)Himself (OP)will descend from heaven with a [fi](OQ)shout, with the voice of (OR)the archangel and with the (OS)trumpet of God, and (OT)the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then (OU)we who are alive, who remain, will be (OV)caught up together with them (OW)in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always (OX)be with the Lord. 18 Therefore, [fj]comfort one another with these words.
The Day of the Lord
5 Now as to the (OY)periods and [fk]times, brothers and sisters, you (OZ)have no need of anything to be written to you. 2 For you yourselves know full well that (PA)the day of the Lord is coming (PB)just like a thief in the night. 3 While they are saying, “(PC)Peace and safety!” then (PD)sudden destruction [fl]will come upon them like (PE)labor pains upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 4 But you, brothers and sisters, are not in (PF)darkness, so that the day would overtake you [fm](PG)like a thief; 5 for you are all (PH)sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of (PI)darkness; 6 so then, let’s not (PJ)sleep as [fn](PK)others do, but let’s be alert and [fo](PL)sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who are drunk, (PM)get drunk at night. 8 But since (PN)we are of the day, let’s (PO)be [fp]sober, having put on the (PP)breastplate of (PQ)faith and love, and as a (PR)helmet, the (PS)hope of salvation. 9 For God has not destined us for (PT)wrath, but for (PU)obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 (PV)who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him. 11 Therefore, [fq]encourage one another and (PW)build one another up, just as you also are doing.
Christian Conduct
12 But we ask you, brothers and sisters, to (PX)recognize those (PY)who diligently labor among you and [fr](PZ)are in leadership over you in the Lord, and give you [fs]instruction, 13 and that you regard them very highly in love because of their work. (QA)Live in peace with one another. 14 We urge you, brothers and sisters, admonish (QB)the [ft]unruly, encourage (QC)the fainthearted, help (QD)the weak, be (QE)patient with everyone. 15 See that (QF)no one repays another with evil for evil, but always (QG)seek what is good for one another and for all people. 16 (QH)Rejoice always, 17 (QI)pray without ceasing, 18 in everything (QJ)give thanks; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus. 19 (QK)Do not quench the Spirit, 20 do not utterly reject [fu](QL)prophecies, 21 but (QM)examine everything; (QN)hold firmly to that which is good, 22 abstain from every [fv]form of evil.
23 Now (QO)may the God of peace (QP)Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your (QQ)spirit and soul and body be kept complete, (QR)without blame at (QS)the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 (QT)Faithful is He who (QU)calls you, and He also will do it.
25 Brothers and sisters, (QV)pray for us[fw].
26 (QW)Greet all the brothers and sisters with a holy kiss. 27 I put you under oath by the Lord to (QX)have this letter read to all the (QY)brothers and sisters.
28 (QZ)May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
Giving Thanks for Faith and Perseverance
1 (RA)Paul, (RB)Silvanus, and (RC)Timothy,
To the (RD)church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: 2 (RE)Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 We ought always (RF)to give thanks to God for you, (RG)brothers and sisters, as is only fitting, because your faith is increasing abundantly, and the (RH)love of each and every one of you toward one another grows ever greater. 4 As a result, we ourselves (RI)speak proudly of you among (RJ)the churches of God for your [fx]perseverance and faith [fy](RK)in the midst of all your persecutions and afflictions which you endure. 5 This is [fz]a (RL)plain indication of God’s righteous judgment so that you will be (RM)considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you indeed are suffering. 6 [ga]For after all (RN)it is only right [gb]for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, 7 and to give relief to you who are afflicted, along with us, [gc](RO)when the Lord Jesus will be revealed (RP)from heaven (RQ)with [gd]His mighty angels 8 (RR)in flaming fire, dealing out retribution to those who (RS)do not know God, and to those who (RT)do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9 These people will pay the penalty of (RU)eternal destruction, (RV)away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, 10 when He comes to be (RW)glorified among His [ge]saints on that (RX)day, and to be marveled at among all who have believed—because our (RY)testimony to you was believed. 11 To this end also we (RZ)pray for you always, that our God will (SA)consider you worthy of your (SB)calling, and fulfill every desire for (SC)goodness and the (SD)work of faith with power, 12 so that the (SE)name of our Lord Jesus will be glorified in you, and you in Him, in accordance with the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Footnotes
- Colossians 1:1 Lit through
- Colossians 1:1 Lit the
- Colossians 1:2 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
- Colossians 1:3 Or always give...praying for you
- Colossians 1:4 Or toward
- Colossians 1:4 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
- Colossians 1:5 Lit the heavens
- Colossians 1:5 Or of the gospel
- Colossians 1:6 Or it is in all the world also, bearing
- Colossians 1:6 Or spreading abroad
- Colossians 1:6 Or came to fully know
- Colossians 1:9 Or real knowledge
- Colossians 1:10 Lit unto all pleasing
- Colossians 1:10 Or growing by the knowledge
- Colossians 1:10 Or real knowledge
- Colossians 1:11 Lit the might of His glory
- Colossians 1:11 Lit unto all
- Colossians 1:11 Or patience with joy
- Colossians 1:12 Lit unto the portion of
- Colossians 1:12 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
- Colossians 1:13 Lit Who rescued
- Colossians 1:13 Lit authority
- Colossians 1:13 Lit the Son of His love
- Colossians 1:15 Lit Who is
- Colossians 1:16 Or in
- Colossians 1:17 Or has existed prior to
- Colossians 1:17 Or endure
- Colossians 1:19 Or all the fullness was pleased to dwell
- Colossians 1:19 I.e., fullness of deity
- Colossians 1:20 Lit the heavens
- Colossians 1:23 Or in faith
- Colossians 1:23 Lit became
- Colossians 1:23 Or servant
- Colossians 1:24 Lit of
- Colossians 1:25 Lit became
- Colossians 1:25 Lit make full the word of God
- Colossians 1:26 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
- Colossians 1:28 Lit in
- Colossians 1:28 Or perfect
- Colossians 1:29 Lit working
- Colossians 1:29 Lit in power
- Colossians 2:1 Lit in the flesh
- Colossians 2:2 Lit of the full assurance
- Colossians 2:5 Lit and seeing
- Colossians 2:5 Or your good order
- Colossians 2:6 Or lead your life
- Colossians 2:7 Or by
- Colossians 2:7 Or the faith
- Colossians 2:7 One early ms in it with
- Colossians 2:8 Lit and not
- Colossians 2:10 Lit full
- Colossians 2:10 Lit of
- Colossians 2:13 Or although
- Colossians 2:13 Or by reason of
- Colossians 2:15 Or divested Himself of
- Colossians 2:15 Or it; i.e., the cross
- Colossians 2:16 Lit judge you
- Colossians 2:16 Or days
- Colossians 2:17 Lit body
- Colossians 2:17 Lit of Christ
- Colossians 2:18 Or deciding against you
- Colossians 2:18 Or going into detail about
- Colossians 2:18 Or conceited
- Colossians 2:19 Lit bonds
- Colossians 2:19 Lit of God
- Colossians 2:20 Lit from
- Colossians 2:22 Or by being consumed
- Colossians 2:23 Lit report; Gr logos
- Colossians 2:23 Or would-be religion
- Colossians 3:2 Or Be intent on
- Colossians 3:5 Lit put to death the parts of your body which are upon the earth
- Colossians 3:5 Lit is
- Colossians 3:6 Two early mss do not contain upon the sons of disobedience
- Colossians 3:6 I.e., people opposed to God
- Colossians 3:7 Or among these
- Colossians 3:9 Or Stop lying
- Colossians 3:9 Lit person
- Colossians 3:10 Lit renovated
- Colossians 3:11 I.e., uncultured
- Colossians 3:11 I.e., a member of an ancient people near the Black Sea, often considered unrefined
- Colossians 3:12 I.e., forbearance toward others
- Colossians 3:14 Lit the uniting bond of perfection
- Colossians 3:15 Or also
- Colossians 3:15 Or be in control in
- Colossians 3:15 Or show yourselves thankful
- Colossians 3:16 One early ms the Lord
- Colossians 3:16 Or in
- Colossians 3:16 Or one another, singing with psalms...
- Colossians 3:20 Lit in
- Colossians 3:21 Or provoke to anger
- Colossians 3:22 I.e., slaves in first-century Roman culture
- Colossians 3:22 Lit masters according to flesh
- Colossians 3:22 I.e., working only when watched
- Colossians 3:23 Lit from the soul
- Colossians 3:24 I.e., consisting of
- Colossians 3:25 Lit there is no partiality
- Colossians 4:5 Lit Walk
- Colossians 4:5 Lit redeeming the time
- Colossians 4:6 Or gracious
- Colossians 4:9 Lit along with Onesimus
- Colossians 4:10 Or orders
- Colossians 4:12 Or stand firm
- Colossians 4:12 Or fully developed
- Colossians 4:12 Or made complete
- Colossians 4:13 Or much toil; or great pain
- Colossians 4:15 Or Nymphas (masc)
- Colossians 4:15 One early ms their
- Colossians 4:16 Lit the
- Colossians 4:16 Lit the
- Colossians 4:17 Or continually fulfill
- Colossians 4:18 Lit The greeting by my hand of Paul
- Colossians 4:18 Lit bonds
- 1 Thessalonians 1:3 Or steadfastness
- 1 Thessalonians 1:3 Lit of
- 1 Thessalonians 1:9 Lit what kind of
- 1 Thessalonians 1:9 Or the idols
- 1 Thessalonians 1:9 Or the
- 1 Thessalonians 1:10 Lit the heavens
- 1 Thessalonians 2:1 Or coming to you
- 1 Thessalonians 2:2 Or during
- 1 Thessalonians 2:2 Or struggle; or conflict
- 1 Thessalonians 2:3 Lit in deceit
- 1 Thessalonians 2:4 Or approves
- 1 Thessalonians 2:5 Lit in a word of flattery
- 1 Thessalonians 2:5 I.e., to conceal greed
- 1 Thessalonians 2:6 Lit being able to
- 1 Thessalonians 2:6 Or been burdensome as
- 1 Thessalonians 2:7 Or became gentle
- 1 Thessalonians 2:7 Three early mss infants
- 1 Thessalonians 2:7 Lit in the midst of you
- 1 Thessalonians 2:7 Or cherishes
- 1 Thessalonians 2:8 Or souls
- 1 Thessalonians 2:8 Lit beloved
- 1 Thessalonians 2:10 Lit became
- 1 Thessalonians 2:10 Or who believe
- 1 Thessalonians 2:15 Or persecuted us
- 1 Thessalonians 2:15 Lit and
- 1 Thessalonians 2:15 Lit and
- 1 Thessalonians 2:16 Lit complete their
- 1 Thessalonians 2:16 Or forever; lit to the end
- 1 Thessalonians 2:17 Lit occasion of an hour
- 1 Thessalonians 2:17 Lit face
- 1 Thessalonians 2:17 Lit heart
- 1 Thessalonians 2:18 Or Because
- 1 Thessalonians 2:18 Lit both once and twice
- 1 Thessalonians 2:19 Or presence
- 1 Thessalonians 3:3 Or deceived
- 1 Thessalonians 3:4 Lit just as
- 1 Thessalonians 3:4 Lit and
- 1 Thessalonians 3:5 Or to know, to ascertain
- 1 Thessalonians 3:13 Or presence
- 1 Thessalonians 3:13 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
- 1 Thessalonians 4:1 Or conduct yourselves
- 1 Thessalonians 4:1 Or conduct yourselves
- 1 Thessalonians 4:2 Lit through the Lord
- 1 Thessalonians 4:4 Or acquire
- 1 Thessalonians 4:4 I.e., body; or wife
- 1 Thessalonians 4:5 Lit passion of lust
- 1 Thessalonians 4:7 I.e., moral corruption
- 1 Thessalonians 4:12 Lit walk
- 1 Thessalonians 4:12 Lit have need of nothing
- 1 Thessalonians 4:13 I.e., have died
- 1 Thessalonians 4:14 I.e., as believers
- 1 Thessalonians 4:15 Lit who
- 1 Thessalonians 4:16 Or cry of command
- 1 Thessalonians 4:18 Or encourage
- 1 Thessalonians 5:1 I.e., the end times
- 1 Thessalonians 5:3 Lit is coming
- 1 Thessalonians 5:4 One early ms like thieves
- 1 Thessalonians 5:6 Lit the rest (of mankind)
- 1 Thessalonians 5:6 Or self-controlled
- 1 Thessalonians 5:8 Or self-controlled
- 1 Thessalonians 5:11 Or comfort
- 1 Thessalonians 5:12 Or care for you
- 1 Thessalonians 5:12 Or admonition
- 1 Thessalonians 5:14 Or undisciplined
- 1 Thessalonians 5:20 Or prophetic gifts
- 1 Thessalonians 5:22 Or appearance
- 1 Thessalonians 5:25 Two early mss add also
- 2 Thessalonians 1:4 Or steadfastness
- 2 Thessalonians 1:4 Or during all
- 2 Thessalonians 1:5 Or proof of
- 2 Thessalonians 1:6 Lit If indeed
- 2 Thessalonians 1:6 Or in the sight of
- 2 Thessalonians 1:7 Lit at the revelation of the Lord Jesus
- 2 Thessalonians 1:7 Lit the angels of His power
- 2 Thessalonians 1:10 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
Colossians 1 - 2 Thessalonians 1
New King James Version
Greeting
1 Paul, (A)an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,
2 To the saints (B)and faithful brethren in Christ who are in Colosse:
(C)Grace to you and peace from God our Father [a]and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Their Faith in Christ
3 (D)We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, 4 (E)since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of (F)your love for all the saints; 5 because of the hope (G)which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel, 6 which has come to you, (H)as it has also in all the world, and (I)is bringing forth [b]fruit, as it is also among you since the day you heard and knew (J)the grace of God in truth; 7 as you also learned from (K)Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is (L)a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf, 8 who also declared to us your (M)love in the Spirit.
Preeminence of Christ
9 (N)For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask (O)that you may be filled with (P)the knowledge of His will (Q)in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 (R)that you may walk worthy of the Lord, (S)fully pleasing Him, (T)being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the (U)knowledge of God; 11 (V)strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, (W)for all patience and longsuffering (X)with joy; 12 (Y)giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of (Z)the inheritance of the saints in the light. 13 He has delivered us from (AA)the power of darkness (AB)and [c]conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, 14 (AC)in whom we have redemption [d]through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.
15 He is (AD)the image of the invisible God, (AE)the firstborn over all creation. 16 For (AF)by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or (AG)dominions or [e]principalities or [f]powers. All things were created (AH)through Him and for Him. 17 (AI)And He is before all things, and in Him (AJ)all things consist. 18 And (AK)He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, (AL)the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.
Reconciled in Christ
19 For it pleased the Father that (AM)in Him all the fullness should dwell, 20 and (AN)by Him to reconcile (AO)all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, (AP)having made peace through the blood of His cross.
21 And you, (AQ)who once were alienated and enemies in your mind (AR)by wicked works, yet now He has (AS)reconciled 22 (AT)in the body of His flesh through death, (AU)to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight— 23 if indeed you continue (AV)in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are (AW)not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, (AX)which was preached to every creature under heaven, (AY)of which I, Paul, became a minister.
Sacrificial Service for Christ
24 (AZ)I now rejoice in my sufferings (BA)for you, and fill up in my flesh (BB)what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for (BC)the sake of His body, which is the church, 25 of which I became a minister according to (BD)the [g]stewardship from God which was given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God, 26 (BE)the [h]mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, (BF)but now has been revealed to His saints. 27 (BG)To them God willed to make known what are (BH)the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: [i]which is (BI)Christ in you, (BJ)the hope of glory. 28 Him we preach, (BK)warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, (BL)that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. 29 To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me (BM)mightily.
Not Philosophy but Christ
2 For I want you to know what a great (BN)conflict[j] I have for you and those in Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh, 2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, [k]both of the Father and of Christ, 3 (BO)in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
4 Now this I say (BP)lest anyone should deceive you with persuasive words. 5 For (BQ)though I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing [l]to see (BR)your good order and the (BS)steadfastness of your faith in Christ.
6 (BT)As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7 (BU)rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding [m]in it with thanksgiving.
8 Beware lest anyone [n]cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to (BV)the tradition of men, according to the (BW)basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. 9 For (BX)in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead [o]bodily; 10 and you are complete in Him, who is the (BY)head of all [p]principality and power.
Not Legalism but Christ
11 In Him you were also (BZ)circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by (CA)putting off the body [q]of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12 (CB)buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through (CC)faith in the working of God, (CD)who raised Him from the dead. 13 And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, 14 (CE)having wiped out the [r]handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. 15 (CF)Having disarmed (CG)principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.
16 So let no one (CH)judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a [s]festival or a new moon or sabbaths, 17 (CI)which are a shadow of things to come, but the [t]substance is of Christ. 18 Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has [u]not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, 19 and not holding fast to (CJ)the Head, from whom all the body, nourished and knit together by joints and ligaments, (CK)grows with the increase that is from God.
20 [v]Therefore, if you (CL)died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, (CM)why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations— 21 (CN)“Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle,” 22 which all concern things which perish with the using—(CO)according to the commandments and doctrines of men? 23 (CP)These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and [w]neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.
Not Carnality but Christ
3 If then you were (CQ)raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, (CR)where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the (CS)earth. 3 (CT)For you died, (CU)and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 (CV)When Christ who is (CW)our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in (CX)glory.
5 (CY)Therefore put to death (CZ)your members which are on the earth: (DA)fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, (DB)which is idolatry. 6 (DC)Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon (DD)the sons of disobedience, 7 (DE)in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them.
8 (DF)But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, 10 and have put on the new man who (DG)is renewed in knowledge (DH)according to the image of Him who (DI)created him, 11 where there is neither (DJ)Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, (DK)but Christ is all and in all.
Character of the New Man
12 Therefore, (DL)as the elect of God, holy and beloved, (DM)put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 13 (DN)bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. 14 (DO)But above all these things (DP)put on love, which is the (DQ)bond of perfection. 15 And let (DR)the peace of God rule in your hearts, (DS)to which also you were called (DT)in one body; and (DU)be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another (DV)in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And (DW)whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
The Christian Home(DX)
18 (DY)Wives, submit to your own husbands, (DZ)as is fitting in the Lord.
19 (EA)Husbands, love your wives and do not be (EB)bitter toward them.
20 (EC)Children, obey your parents (ED)in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord.
21 (EE)Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.
22 (EF)Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God. 23 (EG)And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, 24 (EH)knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; (EI)for[x] you serve the Lord Christ. 25 But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and (EJ)there is no partiality.
Christian Graces; Final Greetings
4 Masters,(EK) give your bondservants what is just and fair, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.
Christian Graces
2 (EL)Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it (EM)with thanksgiving; 3 (EN)meanwhile praying also for us, that God would (EO)open to us a door for the word, to speak (EP)the [y]mystery of Christ, (EQ)for which I am also in chains, 4 that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.
5 (ER)Walk in (ES)wisdom toward those who are outside, (ET)redeeming the time. 6 Let your speech always be (EU)with grace, (EV)seasoned with salt, (EW)that you may know how you ought to answer each one.
Final Greetings(EX)
7 (EY)Tychicus, a beloved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me. 8 (EZ)I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that [z]he may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts, 9 with (FA)Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you all things which are happening here.
10 (FB)Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, with (FC)Mark the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him), 11 and Jesus who is called Justus. These are my only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are of the circumcision; they have proved to be a comfort to me.
12 (FD)Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always (FE)laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand (FF)perfect and [aa]complete in all the will of God. 13 For I bear him witness that he has a great [ab]zeal for you, and those who are in Laodicea, and those in Hierapolis. 14 (FG)Luke the beloved physician and (FH)Demas greet you. 15 Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea, and [ac]Nymphas and (FI)the church that is in [ad]his house.
Closing Exhortations and Blessing
16 Now when (FJ)this epistle is read among you, see that it is read also in the church of the Laodiceans, and that you likewise read the epistle from Laodicea. 17 And say to (FK)Archippus, “Take heed to (FL)the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.”
18 (FM)This salutation by my own hand—Paul. (FN)Remember my chains. Grace be with you. Amen.
Greeting
1 Paul, (FO)Silvanus, and Timothy,
To the church of the (FP)Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:
Grace to you and peace [ae]from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Their Good Example
2 (FQ)We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers, 3 remembering without ceasing (FR)your work of faith, (FS)labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father, 4 knowing, beloved brethren, (FT)your election by God. 5 For (FU)our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, (FV)and in the Holy Spirit (FW)and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake.
6 And (FX)you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, (FY)with joy of the Holy Spirit, 7 so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe. 8 For from you the word of the Lord (FZ)has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also (GA)in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything. 9 For they themselves declare concerning us (GB)what manner of entry we had to you, (GC)and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10 and (GD)to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us (GE)from the wrath to come.
Paul’s Conduct(GF)
2 For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain. 2 But [af]even after we had suffered before and were spitefully treated at (GG)Philippi, as you know, we were (GH)bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God in much conflict. 3 (GI)For our exhortation did not come from error or uncleanness, nor was it in deceit.
4 But as (GJ)we have been approved by God (GK)to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, (GL)not as pleasing men, but God (GM)who tests our hearts. 5 For (GN)neither at any time did we use flattering words, as you know, nor a [ag]cloak for covetousness—(GO)God is witness. 6 (GP)Nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, when (GQ)we might have (GR)made demands (GS)as apostles of Christ. 7 But (GT)we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children. 8 So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased (GU)to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also (GV)our own lives, because you had become dear to us. 9 For you remember, brethren, our (GW)labor and toil; for laboring night and day, (GX)that we might not be a burden to any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God.
10 (GY)You are witnesses, and God also, (GZ)how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe; 11 as you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and [ah]charged every one of you, as a father does his own children, 12 (HA)that you would walk worthy of God (HB)who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.
Their Conversion
13 For this reason we also thank God (HC)without ceasing, because when you (HD)received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it (HE)not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively (HF)works in you who believe. 14 For you, brethren, became imitators (HG)of the churches of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus. For (HH)you also suffered the same things from your own countrymen, just as they did from the Judeans, 15 (HI)who killed both the Lord Jesus and (HJ)their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they do not please God (HK)and are [ai]contrary to all men, 16 (HL)forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they may be saved, so as always (HM)to fill up the measure of their sins; (HN)but wrath has come upon them to the uttermost.
Longing to See Them
17 But we, brethren, having been taken away from you for a short time (HO)in presence, not in heart, endeavored more eagerly to see your face with great desire. 18 Therefore we wanted to come to you—even I, Paul, time and again—but (HP)Satan hindered us. 19 For (HQ)what is our hope, or joy, or (HR)crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the (HS)presence of our Lord Jesus Christ (HT)at His coming? 20 For you are our glory and joy.
Concern for Their Faith
3 Therefore, when we could no longer endure it, we thought it good to be left in Athens alone, 2 and sent (HU)Timothy, our brother and minister of God, and our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith, 3 (HV)that no one should be shaken by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that (HW)we are appointed to this. 4 (HX)For, in fact, we told you before when we were with you that we would suffer tribulation, just as it happened, and you know. 5 For this reason, when I could no longer endure it, I sent to know your faith, (HY)lest by some means the tempter had tempted you, and (HZ)our labor might be in vain.
Encouraged by Timothy
6 (IA)But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and brought us good news of your faith and love, and that you always have good remembrance of us, greatly desiring to see us, (IB)as we also to see you— 7 therefore, brethren, in all our affliction and distress (IC)we were comforted concerning you by your faith. 8 For now we live, if you (ID)stand fast in the Lord.
9 For what thanks can we render to God for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice for your sake before our God, 10 night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face (IE)and perfect what is lacking in your faith?
Prayer for the Church
11 Now may our God and Father Himself, and our Lord Jesus Christ, (IF)direct our way to you. 12 And may the Lord make you increase and (IG)abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you, 13 so that He may establish (IH)your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.
Plea for Purity
4 Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus (II)that you should abound more and more, (IJ)just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God; 2 for you know what commandments we gave you through the Lord Jesus.
3 For this is (IK)the will of God, (IL)your sanctification: (IM)that you should abstain from sexual immorality; 4 (IN)that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, 5 (IO)not in passion of lust, (IP)like the Gentiles (IQ)who do not know God; 6 that no one should take advantage of and defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord (IR)is the avenger of all such, as we also forewarned you and testified. 7 For God did not call us to uncleanness, (IS)but in holiness. 8 (IT)Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God, (IU)who[aj] has also given us His Holy Spirit.
A Brotherly and Orderly Life
9 But concerning brotherly love you have no need that I should write to you, for (IV)you yourselves are taught by God (IW)to love one another; 10 and indeed you do so toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, (IX)that you increase more and more; 11 that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, (IY)to mind your own business, and (IZ)to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, 12 (JA)that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing.
The Comfort of Christ’s Coming
13 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen [ak]asleep, lest you sorrow (JB)as others (JC)who have no hope. 14 For (JD)if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him (JE)those who [al]sleep in Jesus.
15 For this we say to you (JF)by the word of the Lord, that (JG)we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are [am]asleep. 16 For (JH)the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with (JI)the trumpet of God. (JJ)And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 (JK)Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them (JL)in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus (JM)we shall always be with the Lord. 18 (JN)Therefore comfort one another with these words.
The Day of the Lord
5 But concerning (JO)the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. 2 For you yourselves know perfectly that (JP)the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. 3 For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then (JQ)sudden destruction comes upon them, (JR)as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. 4 (JS)But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. 5 You are all (JT)sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. 6 (JU)Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but (JV)let us watch and be [an]sober. 7 For (JW)those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk (JX)are drunk at night. 8 But let us who are of the day be sober, (JY)putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. 9 For (JZ)God did not appoint us to wrath, (KA)but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 (KB)who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.
11 Therefore [ao]comfort each other and [ap]edify one another, just as you also are doing.
Various Exhortations
12 And we urge you, brethren, (KC)to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and [aq]admonish you, 13 and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. (KD)Be at peace among yourselves.
14 Now we [ar]exhort you, brethren, (KE)warn those who are [as]unruly, (KF)comfort the fainthearted, (KG)uphold the weak, (KH)be patient with all. 15 (KI)See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always (KJ)pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.
16 (KK)Rejoice always, 17 (KL)pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
19 (KM)Do not quench the Spirit. 20 (KN)Do not despise prophecies. 21 (KO)Test all things; (KP)hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil.
Blessing and Admonition
23 Now may (KQ)the God of peace Himself (KR)sanctify[at] you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body (KS)be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you is (KT)faithful, who also will (KU)do it.
25 Brethren, pray for us.
26 Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss.
27 I charge you by the Lord that this [au]epistle be read to all the [av]holy brethren.
28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
Greeting
1 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy,
To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:
2 (KV)Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
God’s Final Judgment and Glory
3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other, 4 so that (KW)we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God (KX)for your patience and faith (KY)in all your persecutions and [aw]tribulations that you endure, 5 which is (KZ)manifest[ax] evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, (LA)for which you also suffer; 6 (LB)since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with [ay]tribulation those who trouble you, 7 and to give you who are troubled (LC)rest with us when (LD)the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, 8 in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 (LE)These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and (LF)from the glory of His power, 10 when He comes, in that Day, (LG)to be (LH)glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who [az]believe, because our testimony among you was believed.
11 Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would (LI)count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and (LJ)the work of faith with power, 12 (LK)that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Footnotes
- Colossians 1:2 NU omits and the Lord Jesus Christ
- Colossians 1:6 NU, M add and growing
- Colossians 1:13 transferred
- Colossians 1:14 NU, M omit through His blood
- Colossians 1:16 rulers
- Colossians 1:16 authorities
- Colossians 1:25 dispensation or administration
- Colossians 1:26 secret or hidden truth
- Colossians 1:27 M who
- Colossians 2:1 struggle
- Colossians 2:2 NU omits both of the Father and
- Colossians 2:5 Lit. and seeing
- Colossians 2:7 NU omits in it
- Colossians 2:8 Lit. plunder you or take you captive
- Colossians 2:9 in bodily form
- Colossians 2:10 rule and authority
- Colossians 2:11 NU omits of the sins
- Colossians 2:14 certificate of debt with its
- Colossians 2:16 feast day
- Colossians 2:17 Lit. body
- Colossians 2:18 NU omits not
- Colossians 2:20 NU, M omit Therefore
- Colossians 2:23 severe treatment, asceticism
- Colossians 3:24 NU omits for
- Colossians 4:3 hidden truth
- Colossians 4:8 NU you may know our circumstances and he may comfort
- Colossians 4:12 NU fully assured
- Colossians 4:13 NU concern
- Colossians 4:15 NU Nympha
- Colossians 4:15 NU her
- 1 Thessalonians 1:1 NU omits from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ
- 1 Thessalonians 2:2 NU, M omit even
- 1 Thessalonians 2:5 pretext for greed
- 1 Thessalonians 2:11 NU, M implored
- 1 Thessalonians 2:15 hostile
- 1 Thessalonians 4:8 NU who also gives
- 1 Thessalonians 4:13 Died
- 1 Thessalonians 4:14 Or through Jesus sleep
- 1 Thessalonians 4:15 Dead
- 1 Thessalonians 5:6 self-controlled
- 1 Thessalonians 5:11 Or encourage
- 1 Thessalonians 5:11 build one another up
- 1 Thessalonians 5:12 instruct or warn
- 1 Thessalonians 5:14 encourage
- 1 Thessalonians 5:14 insubordinate or idle
- 1 Thessalonians 5:23 set you apart
- 1 Thessalonians 5:27 letter
- 1 Thessalonians 5:27 NU omits holy
- 2 Thessalonians 1:4 afflictions
- 2 Thessalonians 1:5 plain
- 2 Thessalonians 1:6 affliction
- 2 Thessalonians 1:10 NU, M have believed
New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.