Read the New Testament in 24 Weeks

Greeting

1 Paul, Silvanus,^[a](A) and Timothy:^(B)

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

Grace to you and peace.^[b]

Thanksgiving

² We always thank God for all of you, making mention of you constantly in our prayers. ³ We recall, in the presence of our God and Father,^(D) your work produced by faith,^(E) your labor motivated by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.^{(F) 4} For we know, brothers and sisters loved^(G) by God,^(H) that he has chosen you,^{(I) 5} because our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, in the Holy Spirit,^(J) and with full assurance. You know how we lived among you^(K) for your benefit, ⁶ and you yourselves became imitators of us and of the Lord when, in spite of severe persecution, you welcomed the message^(L) with joy from the Holy Spirit. ⁷ As a result, you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia^(M) and Achaia.^{(N) 8} For the word of the Lord rang out from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place that your faith^[c](O) in God has gone out. Therefore, we don’t need to say anything, ⁹ for they themselves report^[d] what kind of reception^(P) we had from you: how you turned^(Q) to God from idols^(R) to serve the living^(S) and true^(T) God ¹⁰ and to wait^(U) for his Son^(V) from heaven, whom he raised from the dead^(W)—Jesus, who rescues us^(X) from the coming wrath.^(Y)

Paul’s Conduct

2 For you yourselves know, brothers and sisters, that our visit^(Z) with you was not without result. ² On the contrary, after we had previously suffered^(AA) and were treated outrageously in Philippi,^(AB) as you know, we were emboldened by our God to speak the gospel of God to you in spite of great opposition. ³ For our exhortation didn’t come from error or impurity^(AC) or an intent to deceive.^{(AD) 4} Instead, just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted^(AE) with the gospel,^(AF) so we speak, not to please people, but rather God,^(AG) who examines our hearts.^{(AH) 5} For we never used flattering speech, as you know, or had greedy^(AI) motives^(AJ)—God is our witness^(AK)— ⁶ and we didn’t seek glory^(AL) from people, either from you or from others. ⁷ Although we could have been a burden as Christ’s apostles,^(AM) instead we were gentle^[e] among you, as a nurse^[f] nurtures her own children. ⁸ We cared so much for you that we were pleased to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us. ⁹ For you remember our labor and hardship, brothers and sisters. Working^(AN) night and day so that we would not burden any of you, we preached God’s gospel to you. ¹⁰ You are witnesses,^(AO) and so is God, of how devoutly, righteously,^(AP) and blamelessly^(AQ) we conducted ourselves with you believers. ¹¹ As you know, like a father with his own children,^{(AR) 12} we encouraged, comforted, and implored each one of you to walk worthy of God,^(AS) who calls you into his own kingdom^(AT) and glory.^(AU)

Reception and Opposition to the Message

¹³ This is why we constantly thank God, because when you received the word of God that you heard from us, you welcomed it not as a human message, but as it truly is,^(AV) the word of God,^(AW) which also works effectively in you who believe. ¹⁴ For you, brothers and sisters, became imitators of God’s churches in Christ Jesus that are in Judea,^(AX) since you have also suffered^(AY) the same things from people of your own country,^(AZ) just as they did from the Jews ¹⁵ who killed the Lord Jesus^(BA) and the prophets and persecuted us.^(BB) They displease God and are hostile to everyone, ¹⁶ by keeping us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved. As a result, they are constantly filling up their sins to the limit,^(BC) and wrath has overtaken them at last.^[g]

Paul’s Desire to See Them

¹⁷ But as for us, brothers and sisters, after we were forced to leave you^[h] for a short time (in person, not in heart^(BD)), we greatly desired and made every effort to return^(BE) and see you face to face. ¹⁸ So we wanted to come to you—even I, Paul, time and again—but Satan^(BF) hindered us. ¹⁹ For who is our hope or joy^(BG) or crown^(BH) of boasting^(BI) in the presence of our Lord^(BJ) Jesus at his coming?^(BK) Is it not you?^{(BL) 20} Indeed you are our glory^(BM) and joy!

Anxiety in Athens

3 Therefore, when we could no longer stand it, we thought it was better to be left alone in Athens.^{(BN) 2} And we sent Timothy,^(BO) our brother and God’s coworker^[i] in the gospel of Christ,^(BP) to strengthen and encourage you concerning your faith, ³ so that no one will be shaken by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are appointed to this. ⁴ In fact, when we were with you, we told you in advance that we were going to experience affliction, and as you know, it happened. ⁵ For this reason, when I could no longer stand it, I also sent him to find out about your faith, fearing that the tempter had tempted you and that our labor might be for nothing.

Encouraged by Timothy

⁶ But now Timothy has come to us^(BQ) from you and brought us good news about your faith and love. He reported that you always have good memories of us and that you long to see us, as we also long to see you.^{(BR) 7} Therefore, brothers and sisters, in all our distress and affliction, we were encouraged about you through your faith. ⁸ For now we live, if you stand firm^(BS) in the Lord. ⁹ How can we thank God for you in return for all the joy^(BT) we experience before our God because of you, ¹⁰ as we pray very earnestly night and day to see you face to face^(BU) and to complete what is lacking in your faith?^(BV)

Prayer for the Church

¹¹ Now may our God and Father^(BW) himself, and our Lord Jesus,^(BX) direct our way to you. ¹² And may the Lord cause you to increase and overflow with love^(BY) for one another^(BZ) and for everyone, just as we do for you. ¹³ May he make your hearts blameless^(CA) in holiness^(CB) before our God and Father at the coming^(CC) of our Lord^(CD) Jesus with all his saints. Amen.^[j]