Paul’s Ministry in Thessalonica

2 You know, brothers and sisters, that our visit to you^(A) was not without results.^{(B) 2} We had previously suffered^(C) and been treated outrageously in Philippi,^(D) as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in the face of strong opposition.^{(E) 3} For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives,^(F) nor are we trying to trick you.^{(G) 4} On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel.^(H) We are not trying to please people^(I) but God, who tests our hearts.^{(J) 5} You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed^(K)—God is our witness.^{(L) 6} We were not looking for praise from people,^(M) not from you or anyone else, even though as apostles^(N) of Christ we could have asserted our authority.^{(O) 7} Instead, we were like young children^[a] among you.

Just as a nursing mother cares for her children,^{(P) 8} so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God^(Q) but our lives as well.^{(R) 9} Surely you remember, brothers and sisters, our toil and hardship; we worked^(S) night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone^(T) while we preached the gospel of God to you. ¹⁰ You are witnesses,^(U) and so is God,^(V) of how holy,^(W) righteous and blameless we were among you who believed. ¹¹ For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children,^{(X) 12} encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy^(Y) of God, who calls^(Z) you into his kingdom and glory.

¹³ And we also thank God continually^(AA) because, when you received the word of God,^(AB) which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe. ¹⁴ For you, brothers and sisters, became imitators^(AC) of God’s churches in Judea,^(AD) which are in Christ Jesus: You suffered from your own people^(AE) the same things those churches suffered from the Jews ¹⁵ who killed the Lord Jesus^(AF) and the prophets^(AG) and also drove us out. They displease God and are hostile to everyone ¹⁶ in their effort to keep us from speaking to the Gentiles^(AH) so that they may be saved. In this way they always heap up their sins to the limit.^(AI) The wrath of God has come upon them at last.^[b]

Paul’s Longing to See the Thessalonians

¹⁷ But, brothers and sisters, when we were orphaned by being separated from you for a short time (in person, not in thought),^(AJ) out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you.^{(AK) 18} For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, did, again and again—but Satan^(AL) blocked our way.^{(AM) 19} For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown^(AN) in which we will glory^(AO) in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes?^(AP) Is it not you? ²⁰ Indeed, you are our glory^(AQ) and joy.

3 So when we could stand it no longer,^(AR) we thought it best to be left by ourselves in Athens.^{(AS) 2} We sent Timothy,^(AT) who is our brother and co-worker^(AU) in God’s service in spreading the gospel of Christ,^(AV) to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, ³ so that no one would be unsettled by these trials.^(AW) For you know quite well that we are destined for them.^{(AX) 4} In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling you that we would be persecuted. And it turned out that way, as you well know.^{(AY) 5} For this reason, when I could stand it no longer,^(AZ) I sent to find out about your faith.^(BA) I was afraid that in some way the tempter^(BB) had tempted you and that our labors might have been in vain.^(BC)

Timothy’s Encouraging Report

⁶ But Timothy^(BD) has just now come to us from you^(BE) and has brought good news about your faith and love.^(BF) He has told us that you always have pleasant memories of us and that you long to see us, just as we also long to see you.^{(BG) 7} Therefore, brothers and sisters, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith. ⁸ For now we really live, since you are standing firm^(BH) in the Lord. ⁹ How can we thank God enough for you^(BI) in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you?^{(BJ) 10} Night and day we pray^(BK) most earnestly that we may see you again^(BL) and supply what is lacking in your faith.

¹¹ Now may our God and Father^(BM) himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you. ¹² May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other^(BN) and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. ¹³ May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless^(BO) and holy in the presence of our God and Father^(BP) when our Lord Jesus comes^(BQ) with all his holy ones.^(BR)