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1 Thessalonians 1-5
American Standard Version

1 Paul, and Silvanus, and Timothy, unto the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace.

2 We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; 3 remembering without ceasing your work of faith and labor of love and [a]patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, before [b]our God and Father; 4 knowing, brethren beloved of God, your election, 5 [c]how that our [d]gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit, and in much [e]assurance; even as ye know what manner of men we showed ourselves toward you for your sake. 6 And ye became imitators of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit; 7 so that ye became an ensample to all that believe in Macedonia and in Achaia. 8 For from you hath sounded forth the word of the Lord, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place your faith to God-ward is gone forth; so that we need not to speak anything. 9 For they themselves report concerning us what manner of entering in we had unto you; and how ye turned unto God from idols, to serve a living and true God, 10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, who delivereth us from the wrath to come.

2 For yourselves, brethren, know our entering in unto you, that it hath not been found vain: 2 but having suffered before and been shamefully treated, as ye know, at Philippi, we waxed bold in our God to speak unto you the [f]gospel of God in much conflict. 3 For our exhortation is not of error, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile: 4 but even as we have been approved of God to be intrusted with the [g]gospel, so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God who proveth our hearts. 5 For neither at any time were we found using words of flattery, as ye know, nor a cloak of covetousness, God is witness; 6 nor seeking glory of men, neither from you nor from others, when we might have [h]claimed authority as apostles of Christ. 7 But we were [i]gentle in the midst of you, as when a nurse cherisheth her own children: 8 even so, being affectionately desirous of you, we were well pleased to impart unto you, not the [j]gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were become very dear to us. 9 For ye remember, brethren, our labor and travail: working night and day, that we might not burden any of you, we preached unto you the [k]gospel of God. 10 Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and righteously and unblamably we behaved ourselves toward you that believe: 11 as ye know how we dealt with each one of you, as a father with his own children, exhorting you, and encouraging you, and testifying, 12 to the end that ye should walk worthily of God, who [l]calleth you into his own kingdom and glory.

13 And for this cause we also thank God without ceasing, that, when ye received from us [m]the word of the message, even the word of God, ye accepted it not as the word of men, but, as it is in truth, the word of God, which also worketh in you that believe. 14 For ye, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God which are in Judaea in Christ Jesus: for ye also suffered the same things of your own countrymen, even as they did of the Jews; 15 who both killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove out us, and please not God, and are contrary to all men; 16 forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they may be saved; to fill up their sins always: but the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.

17 But we, brethren, being bereaved of you for [n]a short season, in presence not in heart, endeavored the more exceedingly to see your face with great desire: 18 because we would fain have come unto you, I Paul once and again; and Satan hindered us. 19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of glorying? Are not even ye, before our Lord Jesus at his [o]coming? 20 For ye are our glory and our joy.

3 Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left behind at Athens alone; 2 and sent Timothy, our brother and [p]God’s minister in the [q]gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith; 3 that no man be moved by these afflictions; for yourselves know that hereunto we are appointed. 4 For verily, when we were with you, we told you [r]beforehand that we are to suffer affliction; even as it came to pass, and ye know. 5 For this cause I also, when I could no longer forbear, sent that I might know your faith, lest by any means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor should be in vain. 6 But when Timothy came even now unto us from you, and brought us glad tidings of your faith and love, and that ye have good remembrance of us always, longing to see us, even as we also to see you; 7 for this cause, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our distress and affliction through your faith: 8 for now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord. 9 For what thanksgiving can we render again unto God for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God; 10 night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face, and may perfect that which is lacking in your faith?

11 Now may [s]our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way unto you: 12 and the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we also do toward you; 13 to the end he may establish your hearts unblamable in holiness before [t]our God and Father, at the [u]coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints. [v]

4 Finally then, brethren, we beseech and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that, as ye received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, even as ye do walk,—that ye abound more and more. 2 For ye know what [w]charge we gave you through the Lord Jesus. 3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye abstain from fornication; 4 that each one of you know how to possess himself of his own vessel in sanctification and honor, 5 not in the passion of lust, even as the Gentiles who know not God; 6 that no man [x]transgress, and wrong his brother in the matter: because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as also we [y]forewarned you and testified. 7 For God called us not for uncleanness, but in sanctification. 8 Therefore he that rejecteth, rejecteth not man, but God, who giveth his Holy Spirit unto you.

9 But concerning love of the brethren ye have no need that one write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another; 10 for indeed ye do it toward all the brethren that are in all Macedonia. But we exhort you, brethren, that ye abound more and more; 11 and that ye [z]study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your hands, even as we charged you; 12 that ye may walk becomingly toward them that are without, and may have need of nothing.

13 But we would not have you ignorant, brethren, concerning them that fall asleep; that ye sorrow not, even as the rest, who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also that are fallen asleep [aa]in Jesus will God bring with him. 15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we that are alive, that are left unto the [ab]coming of the Lord, shall in no wise precede them that are fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven, with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first; 17 then we that are alive, that are left, shall together with them be caught up in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18 Wherefore [ac]comfort one another with these words.

5 But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that aught be written unto you. 2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. 3 When they are saying, Peace and safety, then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall in no wise escape. 4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you [ad]as a thief: 5 for ye are all sons of light, and sons of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness; 6 so then let us not sleep, as do the rest, but let us watch and be sober. 7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that are drunken are drunken in the night. 8 But let us, since we are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for a helmet, the hope of salvation. 9 For God appointed us not unto wrath, but unto the obtaining of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us, that, whether we [ae]wake or sleep, we should live together with him. 11 Wherefore [af]exhort one another, and build each other up, even as also ye do.

12 But we beseech you, brethren, to know them that labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; 13 and to esteem them exceeding highly in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves. 14 And we exhort you, brethren, admonish the disorderly, encourage the faint-hearted, support the weak, be longsuffering toward all. 15 See that none render unto any one evil for evil; but always follow after that which is good, one toward another, and toward all. 16 Rejoice always; 17 pray without ceasing; 18 in everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus to you-ward. 19 Quench not the Spirit; 20 despise not prophesyings; 21 [ag]prove all things; hold fast that which is good; 22 abstain from every form of evil.

23 And the God of peace himself sanctify you wholly; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved entire, without blame at the [ah]coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who will also do it.

25 Brethren, pray for us[ai].

26 Salute all the brethren with a holy kiss. 27 I adjure you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the [aj]brethren.

28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Thessalonians 1:3 Or, stedfastness
  2. 1 Thessalonians 1:3 Or, God and our Father
  3. 1 Thessalonians 1:5 Or, because our gospel etc.
  4. 1 Thessalonians 1:5 Greek good tidings: and so elsewhere. See marginal note on Mt. 4:23.
  5. 1 Thessalonians 1:5 Or, fulness
  6. 1 Thessalonians 2:2 Greek good tidings. See verse 5.
  7. 1 Thessalonians 2:4 Greek good tidings. See verse 5.
  8. 1 Thessalonians 2:6 Or, been burdensome. verse 9; compare 1 Cor. 9:4ff
  9. 1 Thessalonians 2:7 Most of the ancient authorities read babes. Compare 1 Cor. 14:20.
  10. 1 Thessalonians 2:8 Greek good tidings. See verse 5.
  11. 1 Thessalonians 2:9 Greek good tidings. See verse 5.
  12. 1 Thessalonians 2:12 Some ancient authorities read called.
  13. 1 Thessalonians 2:13 Greek the word of hearing. Gal. 3:2, 5.
  14. 1 Thessalonians 2:17 Greek a season of an hour.
  15. 1 Thessalonians 2:19 Greek presence. Compare 2 Cor. 10:10.
  16. 1 Thessalonians 3:2 Some ancient authorities read fellow-worker with God.
  17. 1 Thessalonians 3:2 Greek good tidings. See 1:5.
  18. 1 Thessalonians 3:4 Or, plainly
  19. 1 Thessalonians 3:11 Or, God himself and our Father
  20. 1 Thessalonians 3:13 Or, God and our Father
  21. 1 Thessalonians 3:13 Greek presence. Compare 2 Cor. 10:10.
  22. 1 Thessalonians 3:13 Many ancient authorities add Amen.
  23. 1 Thessalonians 4:2 Greek charges.
  24. 1 Thessalonians 4:6 Or, overreach
  25. 1 Thessalonians 4:6 Or, told you plainly
  26. 1 Thessalonians 4:11 Greek be ambitious. See Rom. 15:20 margin.
  27. 1 Thessalonians 4:14 Greek through. Or, will God through Jesus.
  28. 1 Thessalonians 4:15 Greek presence.
  29. 1 Thessalonians 4:18 Or, exhort. 5:11
  30. 1 Thessalonians 5:4 Some ancient authorities read as thieves.
  31. 1 Thessalonians 5:10 Or, watch
  32. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 Or, comfort. 4:18
  33. 1 Thessalonians 5:21 Many ancient authorities insert but.
  34. 1 Thessalonians 5:23 Greek presence.
  35. 1 Thessalonians 5:25 Some ancient authorities add also.
  36. 1 Thessalonians 5:27 Many ancient authorities insert holy.
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1 Thessalonians 1-5
New International Version

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)

Footnotes

  1. 1 Thessalonians 1:1 Greek Silvanus, a variant of Silas
  2. 1 Thessalonians 1:4 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family; also in 2:1, 9, 14, 17; 3:7; 4:1, 10, 13; 5:1, 4, 12, 14, 25, 27.
  3. 1 Thessalonians 2:7 Some manuscripts were gentle
  4. 1 Thessalonians 2:16 Or them fully
  5. 1 Thessalonians 4:4 Or learn to live with your own wife; or learn to acquire a wife
  6. 1 Thessalonians 4:6 The Greek word for brother or sister (adelphos) refers here to a believer, whether man or woman, as part of God’s family.
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