1 Paul, Silas^[a](A) and Timothy,^(B)

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

Grace and peace to you.^(D)

Thanksgiving for the Thessalonians’ Faith

² We always thank God for all of you^(E) and continually mention you in our prayers.^{(F) 3} We remember before our God and Father^(G) your work produced by faith,^(H) your labor prompted by love,^(I) and your endurance inspired by hope^(J) in our Lord Jesus Christ.

⁴ For we know, brothers and sisters^[b] loved by God,^(K) that he has chosen you, ⁵ because our gospel^(L) came to you not simply with words but also with power,^(M) with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. You know^(N) how we lived among you for your sake. ⁶ You became imitators of us^(O) and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering^(P) with the joy^(Q) given by the Holy Spirit.^{(R) 7} And so you became a model^(S) to all the believers in Macedonia^(T) and Achaia.^{(U) 8} The Lord’s message^(V) rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere.^(W) Therefore we do not need to say anything about it, ⁹ for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned^(X) to God from idols^(Y) to serve the living and true God,^{(Z) 10} and to wait for his Son from heaven,^(AA) whom he raised from the dead^(AB)—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.^(AC)

Paul’s Ministry in Thessalonica

2 You know, brothers and sisters, that our visit to you^(AD) was not without results.^{(AE) 2} We had previously suffered^(AF) and been treated outrageously in Philippi,^(AG) as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in the face of strong opposition.^{(AH) 3} For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives,^(AI) nor are we trying to trick you.^{(AJ) 4} On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel.^(AK) We are not trying to please people^(AL) but God, who tests our hearts.^{(AM) 5} You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed^(AN)—God is our witness.^{(AO) 6} We were not looking for praise from people,^(AP) not from you or anyone else, even though as apostles^(AQ) of Christ we could have asserted our authority.^{(AR) 7} Instead, we were like young children^[c] among you.

Just as a nursing mother cares for her children,^{(AS) 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^(AT) but our lives as well.^{(AU) 9} Surely you remember, brothers and sisters, our toil and hardship; we worked^(AV) night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone^(AW) while we preached the gospel of God to you. ¹⁰ You are witnesses,^(AX) and so is God,^(AY) of how holy,^(AZ) 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,^{(BA) 12} encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy^(BB) of God, who calls^(BC) you into his kingdom and glory.

¹³ And we also thank God continually^(BD) because, when you received the word of God,^(BE) 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^(BF) of God’s churches in Judea,^(BG) which are in Christ Jesus: You suffered from your own people^(BH) the same things those churches suffered from the Jews ¹⁵ who killed the Lord Jesus^(BI) and the prophets^(BJ) 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^(BK) so that they may be saved. In this way they always heap up their sins to the limit.^(BL) The wrath of God has come upon them at last.^[d]

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),^(BM) out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you.^{(BN) 18} For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, did, again and again—but Satan^(BO) blocked our way.^{(BP) 19} For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown^(BQ) in which we will glory^(BR) in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes?^(BS) Is it not you? ²⁰ Indeed, you are our glory^(BT) and joy.

3 So when we could stand it no longer,^(BU) we thought it best to be left by ourselves in Athens.^{(BV) 2} We sent Timothy,^(BW) who is our brother and co-worker^(BX) in God’s service in spreading the gospel of Christ,^(BY) to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, ³ so that no one would be unsettled by these trials.^(BZ) For you know quite well that we are destined for them.^{(CA) 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.^{(CB) 5} For this reason, when I could stand it no longer,^(CC) I sent to find out about your faith.^(CD) I was afraid that in some way the tempter^(CE) had tempted you and that our labors might have been in vain.^(CF)

Timothy’s Encouraging Report

⁶ But Timothy^(CG) has just now come to us from you^(CH) and has brought good news about your faith and love.^(CI) 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.^{(CJ) 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^(CK) in the Lord. ⁹ How can we thank God enough for you^(CL) in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you?^{(CM) 10} Night and day we pray^(CN) most earnestly that we may see you again^(CO) and supply what is lacking in your faith.

¹¹ Now may our God and Father^(CP) 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^(CQ) and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. ¹³ May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless^(CR) and holy in the presence of our God and Father^(CS) when our Lord Jesus comes^(CT) with all his holy ones.^(CU)

Living to Please God

4 As for other matters, brothers and sisters,^(CV) we instructed you how to live^(CW) in order to please God,^(CX) as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more. ² For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus.

³ It is God’s will^(CY) that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality;^{(CZ) 4} that each of you should learn to control your own body^[e](DA) in a way that is holy and honorable, ⁵ not in passionate lust^(DB) like the pagans,^(DC) who do not know God;^{(DD) 6} and that in this matter no one should wrong or take advantage of a brother or sister.^[f](DE) The Lord will punish^(DF) all those who commit such sins,^(DG) as we told you and warned you before. ⁷ For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life.^{(DH) 8} Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit.^(DI)

⁹ Now about your love for one another^(DJ) we do not need to write to you,^(DK) for you yourselves have been taught by God^(DL) to love each other.^{(DM) 10} And in fact, you do love all of God’s family throughout Macedonia.^(DN) Yet we urge you, brothers and sisters, to do so more and more,^{(DO) 11} and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands,^(DP) just as we told you, ¹² so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders^(DQ) and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.

Believers Who Have Died

¹³ Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed^(DR) about those who sleep in death,^(DS) so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope.^{(DT) 14} For we believe that Jesus died and rose again,^(DU) and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.^{(DV) 15} According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord,^(DW) will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep.^{(DX) 16} For the Lord himself will come down from heaven,^(DY) with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel^(DZ) and with the trumpet call of God,^(EA) and the dead in Christ will rise first.^{(EB) 17} After that, we who are still alive and are left^(EC) will be caught up together with them in the clouds^(ED) to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord^(EE) forever. ¹⁸ Therefore encourage one another^(EF) with these words.

The Day of the Lord

5 Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates^(EG) we do not need to write to you,^{(EH) 2} for you know very well that the day of the Lord^(EI) will come like a thief in the night.^{(EJ) 3} While people are saying, “Peace and safety,”^(EK) destruction will come on them suddenly,^(EL) as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.^(EM)

⁴ But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness^(EN) so that this day should surprise you like a thief.^{(EO) 5} You are all children of the light^(EP) and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. ⁶ So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep,^(EQ) but let us be awake^(ER) and sober.^{(ES) 7} For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night.^{(ET) 8} But since we belong to the day,^(EU) let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate,^(EV) and the hope of salvation^(EW) as a helmet.^{(EX) 9} For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath^(EY) but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.^{(EZ) 10} He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him.^{(FA) 11} Therefore encourage one another^(FB) and build each other up,^(FC) just as in fact you are doing.

Final Instructions

¹² Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard^(FD) among you, who care for you in the Lord^(FE) and who admonish you. ¹³ Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.^{(FF) 14} And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle^(FG) and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak,^(FH) be patient with everyone. ¹⁵ Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong,^(FI) but always strive to do what is good for each other^(FJ) and for everyone else.

¹⁶ Rejoice always,^{(FK) 17} pray continually,^{(FL) 18} give thanks in all circumstances;^(FM) for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

¹⁹ Do not quench the Spirit.^{(FN) 20} Do not treat prophecies^(FO) with contempt ²¹ but test them all;^(FP) hold on to what is good,^{(FQ) 22} reject every kind of evil.

²³ May God himself, the God of peace,^(FR) sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul^(FS) and body be kept blameless^(FT) at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.^{(FU) 24} The one who calls^(FV) you is faithful,^(FW) and he will do it.^(FX)

²⁵ Brothers and sisters, pray for us.^{(FY) 26} Greet all God’s people with a holy kiss.^{(FZ) 27} I charge you before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers and sisters.^(GA)

²⁸ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.^(GB)