For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain:

But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention.

For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile:

But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.

For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness:

Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.

But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children:

So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.

For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.

10 Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe:

11 As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children,

12 That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.

13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

14 For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews:

15 Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men:

16 Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.

17 But we, brethren, being taken from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavoured the more abundantly to see your face with great desire.

18 Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us.

19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?

20 For ye are our glory and joy.

Comportamiento de Pablo como ministro de Jesucristo

Porque ustedes mismos saben, hermanos, que nuestra visita[a] a ustedes(A) no fue en vano(B), sino que después de haber sufrido y sido maltratados(C) en Filipos(D), como saben, tuvimos el valor, confiados en nuestro Dios, de hablarles(E) el evangelio de Dios(F) en medio de mucha oposición(G). Pues nuestra exhortación(H) no procede de error(I) ni de impureza(J) ni es con engaño(K), sino que así como hemos sido aprobados por Dios(L) para que se nos confiara el evangelio(M), así hablamos, no como agradando a los hombres, sino a Dios(N) que examina[b] nuestros corazones(O). Porque como saben, nunca fuimos[c] a ustedes con palabras lisonjeras, ni con pretexto para sacar provecho(P). Dios es testigo(Q). Tampoco buscamos gloria de los hombres(R), ni de ustedes ni de otros, aunque como apóstoles de Cristo hubiéramos podido imponer nuestra autoridad[d](S).

Más bien demostramos ser[e] benignos[f](T) entre[g] ustedes, como una madre que cría con ternura a sus propios hijos(U). Teniendo así un gran afecto por ustedes, nos hemos complacido en impartirles(V) no solo el evangelio de Dios(W), sino también nuestras propias vidas[h], pues llegaron a ser muy amados para nosotros. Porque recuerdan, hermanos, nuestros trabajos y fatigas(X), cómo, trabajando de día y de noche(Y) para no ser carga(Z) a ninguno de ustedes, les proclamamos el evangelio de Dios(AA).

10 Ustedes son testigos, y también Dios(AB), de cuán santa, justa e irreprensiblemente nos comportamos[i] con ustedes(AC) los creyentes. 11 Saben además de qué manera los exhortábamos(AD), alentábamos e implorábamos[j] a cada uno de ustedes(AE), como un padre lo haría con sus propios hijos(AF), 12 para que anduvieran como es digno(AG) del Dios que los ha llamado[k] a Su reino(AH) y a Su gloria(AI).

Pablo da gracias por los tesalonicenses

13 Por esto también nosotros sin cesar damos gracias a Dios(AJ) de que cuando recibieron la palabra de Dios que oyeron de nosotros(AK), la aceptaron no como la palabra de hombres, sino como lo que realmente es, la palabra de Dios(AL), la cual también hace su obra(AM) en ustedes los que creen. 14 Pues ustedes, hermanos, llegaron a ser imitadores(AN) de las iglesias de Dios en Cristo Jesús(AO) que están en Judea(AP), porque también ustedes padecieron los mismos sufrimientos a manos de sus propios compatriotas(AQ), tal como ellos padecieron a manos de los judíos(AR).

15 Estos mataron tanto al Señor Jesús(AS) como a los profetas(AT), y a nosotros nos expulsaron[l], y no agradan a Dios sino que[m] son contrarios a todos los hombres, 16 impidiéndonos hablar a los gentiles(AU) para que se salven(AV), con el resultado de que siempre llenan la medida de sus pecados(AW). Pero la ira(AX) de Dios ha venido sobre ellos hasta el extremo.

17 Pero nosotros, hermanos, separados de ustedes por breve tiempo[n], en persona[o] pero no en espíritu[p](AY), estábamos muy ansiosos, con profundo deseo de ir a verlos(AZ). 18 Ya que queríamos ir a ustedes(BA), al menos yo, Pablo, más de una vez[q](BB); pero Satanás(BC) nos lo ha impedido(BD). 19 Porque ¿quién es nuestra esperanza o gozo o corona de gloria(BE)? ¿No lo son ustedes en la presencia de nuestro Señor Jesús en Su venida[r](BF)? 20 Pues ustedes son nuestra gloria(BG) y nuestro gozo.

Footnotes

  1. 2:1 Lit. entrada.
  2. 2:4 O aprueba.
  3. 2:5 Lit. nos presentamos.
  4. 2:6 O ser carga.
  5. 2:7 Lit. nos hicimos.
  6. 2:7 Algunos mss. antiguos dicen: niños.
  7. 2:7 Lit. en medio de.
  8. 2:8 O almas.
  9. 2:10 Lit. nos hicimos.
  10. 2:11 O testificábamos.
  11. 2:12 O llama.
  12. 2:15 O nos persiguieron.
  13. 2:15 Lit. y.
  14. 2:17 Lit. por espacio de una hora.
  15. 2:17 Lit. rostro.
  16. 2:17 Lit. corazón.
  17. 2:18 Lit. tanto una vez como dos.
  18. 2:19 O presencia.

Paul's Ministry to the Thessalonians

For you yourselves know, brothers,[a] that our (A)coming to you (B)was not in vain. But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated (C)at Philippi, as you know, (D)we had boldness in our God (E)to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much (F)conflict. For (G)our appeal does not spring from (H)error or (I)impurity or (J)any attempt to deceive, but just as we have been approved by God (K)to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not (L)to please man, but to please God (M)who tests our hearts. (N)For we never came with words of flattery,[b] as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—(O)God is witness. (P)Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, (Q)though we could have made (R)demands as (S)apostles of Christ. But we were (T)gentle[c] among you, (U)like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God (V)but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.

For you remember, brothers, (W)our labor and toil: we (X)worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. 10 You are witnesses, and (Y)God also, (Z)how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers. 11 For you know how, (AA)like a father with his children, 12 we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and (AB)charged (AC)you to walk in a manner worthy of God, (AD)who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.

13 And (AE)we also thank God constantly[d] for this, that when you received (AF)the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it (AG)not as the word of men[e] but as what it really is, the word of God, (AH)which is at work in you believers. 14 For you, brothers, (AI)became imitators of (AJ)the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea. For (AK)you suffered the same things from your own countrymen (AL)as they did from the Jews,[f] 15 (AM)who killed both the Lord Jesus and (AN)the prophets, and drove us out, and displease God and (AO)oppose all mankind 16 (AP)by hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles that they might be saved—so as always (AQ)to fill up the measure of their sins. But (AR)wrath has come upon them at last![g]

Paul's Longing to See Them Again

17 But since we were torn away from you, brothers, for a short time, (AS)in person not in heart, we endeavored the more eagerly and with great desire (AT)to see you face to face, 18 because we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, again and again—but Satan (AU)hindered us. 19 For what is our hope or (AV)joy or crown of boasting (AW)before our Lord Jesus at his (AX)coming? Is it not you? 20 For you are our glory and joy.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Thessalonians 2:1 Or brothers and sisters; also verses 9, 14, 17
  2. 1 Thessalonians 2:5 Or with a flattering speech
  3. 1 Thessalonians 2:7 Some manuscripts infants
  4. 1 Thessalonians 2:13 Or without ceasing
  5. 1 Thessalonians 2:13 The Greek word anthropoi can refer to both men and women
  6. 1 Thessalonians 2:14 The Greek word Ioudaioi can refer to Jewish religious leaders, and others under their influence, who opposed the Christian faith in that time
  7. 1 Thessalonians 2:16 Or completely, or forever