1 Paul, Silas^[a](A) and Timothy,^(B)

To the church of the Thessalonians^(C) in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

² Grace and peace to you from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.^(D)

Thanksgiving and Prayer

³ We ought always to thank God for you,^(E) brothers and sisters,^[b] and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing.^{(F) 4} Therefore, among God’s churches we boast^(G) about your perseverance and faith^(H) in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring.^(I)

⁵ All this is evidence^(J) that God’s judgment is right, and as a result you will be counted worthy^(K) of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering. ⁶ God is just:^(L) He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you^{(M) 7} and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven^(N) in blazing fire^(O) with his powerful angels.^{(P) 8} He will punish^(Q) those who do not know God^(R) and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.^{(S) 9} They will be punished with everlasting destruction^(T) and shut out from the presence of the Lord^(U) and from the glory of his might^{(V) 10} on the day^(W) he comes to be glorified^(X) in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed. This includes you, because you believed our testimony to you.^(Y)

¹¹ With this in mind, we constantly pray for you,^(Z) that our God may make you worthy^(AA) of his calling,^(AB) and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness^(AC) and your every deed prompted by faith.^{(AD) 12} We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you,^(AE) and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.^[c]

Stand Firm

¹³ But we ought always to thank God for you,^(A) brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as firstfruits^[a](B) to be saved^(C) through the sanctifying work of the Spirit^(D) and through belief in the truth. ¹⁴ He called you^(E) to this through our gospel,^(F) that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

¹⁵ So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm^(G) and hold fast to the teachings^[b] we passed on to you,^(H) whether by word of mouth or by letter.

¹⁶ May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father,^(I) who loved us^(J) and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, ¹⁷ encourage^(K) your hearts and strengthen^(L) you in every good deed and word.

Request for Prayer

3 As for other matters, brothers and sisters,^(M) pray for us^(N) that the message of the Lord^(O) may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you.^{(P) 2} And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil people,^(Q) for not everyone has faith. ³ But the Lord is faithful,^(R) and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.^{(S) 4} We have confidence^(T) in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we command. ⁵ May the Lord direct your hearts^(U) into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.

Warning Against Idleness

⁶ In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ,^(V) we command you, brothers and sisters, to keep away from^(W) every believer who is idle and disruptive^(X) and does not live according to the teaching^[c] you received from us.^{(Y) 7} For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example.^(Z) We were not idle when we were with you, ⁸ nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked^(AA) night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. ⁹ We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help,^(AB) but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you to imitate.^{(AC) 10} For even when we were with you,^(AD) we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work^(AE) shall not eat.”

¹¹ We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are busybodies.^{(AF) 12} Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ^(AG) to settle down and earn the food they eat.^{(AH) 13} And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good.^(AI)

¹⁴ Take special note of anyone who does not obey our instruction in this letter. Do not associate with them,^(AJ) in order that they may feel ashamed.^{(AK) 15} Yet do not regard them as an enemy, but warn them as you would a fellow believer.^(AL)

Final Greetings

¹⁶ Now may the Lord of peace^(AM) himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.^(AN)

¹⁷ I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand,^(AO) which is the distinguishing mark in all my letters. This is how I write.

¹⁸ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.^(AP)