1 Thessalonians 1; 1 Thessalonians 2; 1 Thessalonians 3; 1 Thessalonians 4; 1 Thessalonians 5

1 From Paul, Silas, and Timothy. To the church in Thessalonica, the church in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace and peace to you.

2 We always thank God for all of you and mention you when we pray.

3 We continually recall before God our Father the things you have done because of your faith and the work you have done because of your love. And we thank him that you continue to be strong because of your hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

4 Brothers and sisters, God loves you, and we know he has chosen you,

5 because the Good News we brought to you came not only with words, but with power, with the Holy Spirit, and with sure knowledge that it is true. Also you know how we lived when we were with you in order to help you.

6 And you became like us and like the Lord. You suffered much, but still you accepted the teaching with the joy that comes from the Holy Spirit.

7 So you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and Southern Greece.

8 And the Lord's teaching spread from you not only into Macedonia and Southern Greece, but now your faith in God has become known everywhere. So we do not need to say anything about it.

9 People everywhere are telling about the way you accepted us when we were there with you. They tell how you stopped worshiping idols and began serving the living and true God.

10 And you wait for God's Son, whom God raised from the dead, to come from heaven. He is Jesus, who saves us from God's angry judgment that is sure to come.

1 Brothers and sisters, you know our visit to you was not a failure.

2 Before we came to you, we suffered in Philippi. People there insulted us, as you know, and many people were against us. But our God helped us to be brave and to tell you his Good News.

3 Our appeal does not come from lies or wrong reasons, nor were we trying to trick you.

4 But we speak the Good News because God tested us and trusted us to do it. When we speak, we are not trying to please people, but God, who tests our hearts.

5 You know that we never tried to influence you by saying nice things about you. We were not trying to get your money; we had no selfishness to hide from you. God knows that this is true.

6 We were not looking for human praise, from you or anyone else,

7 even though as apostles of Christ we could have used our authority over you. But we were very gentle with you, like a mother caring for her little children.

8 Because we loved you, we were happy to share not only God's Good News with you, but even our own lives. You had become so dear to us!

9 Brothers and sisters, I know you remember our hard work and difficulties. We worked night and day so we would not burden any of you while we preached God's Good News to you.

10 When we were with you, we lived in a holy and honest way, without fault. You know this is true, and so does God.

11 You know that we treated each of you as a father treats his own children.

12 We encouraged you, we urged you, and we insisted that you live good lives for God, who calls you to his glorious kingdom.

13 Also, we always thank God because when you heard his message from us, you accepted it as the word of God, not the words of humans. And it really is God's message which works in you who believe.

14 Brothers and sisters, your experiences have been like those of God's churches in Christ that are in Judea. You suffered from the people of your own country, as they suffered from the Jews,

15 who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets and forced us to leave that country. They do not please God and are against all people.

16 They try to stop us from teaching those who are not Jews so they may be saved. By doing this, they are increasing their sins to the limit. The anger of God has come to them at last.

17 Brothers and sisters, though we were separated from you for a short time, our thoughts were still with you. We wanted very much to see you and tried hard to do so.

18 We wanted to come to you. I, Paul, tried to come more than once, but Satan stopped us.

19 You are our hope, our joy, and the crown we will take pride in when our Lord Jesus Christ comes.

20 Truly you are our glory and our joy.

1 When we could not wait any longer, we decided it was best to stay in Athens alone

2 and send Timothy to you. Timothy, our brother, works with us for God and helps us tell people the Good News about Christ. We sent him to strengthen and encourage you in your faith

3 so none of you would be upset by these troubles. You yourselves know that we must face these troubles.

4 Even when we were with you, we told you we all would have to suffer, and you know it has happened.

5 Because of this, when I could wait no longer, I sent Timothy to you so I could learn about your faith. I was afraid the devil had tempted you, and then our hard work would have been wasted.

6 But Timothy now has come back to us from you and has brought us good news about your faith and love. He told us that you always remember us in a good way and that you want to see us just as much as we want to see you.

7 So, brothers and sisters, while we have much trouble and suffering, we are encouraged about you because of your faith.

8 Our life is really full if you stand strong in the Lord.

9 We have so much joy before our God because of you. We cannot thank him enough for all the joy we feel.

10 Night and day we continue praying with all our heart that we can see you again and give you all the things you need to make your faith strong.

11 Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus prepare the way for us to come to you.

12 May the Lord make your love grow more and multiply for each other and for all people so that you will love others as we love you.

13 May your hearts be made strong so that you will be holy and without fault before our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.

1 Brothers and sisters, we taught you how to live in a way that will please God, and you are living that way. Now we ask and encourage you in the Lord Jesus to live that way even more.

2 You know what we told you to do by the authority of the Lord Jesus.

3 God wants you to be holy and to stay away from sexual sins.

4 He wants each of you to learn to control your own bodyn in a way that is holy and honorable.

5 Don't use your body for sexual sin like the people who do not know God.

6 Also, do not wrong or cheat another Christian in this way. The Lord will punish people who do those things as we have already told you and warned you.

7 God called us to be holy and does not want us to live in sin.

8 So the person who refuses to obey this teaching is disobeying God, not simply a human teaching. And God is the One who gives us his Holy Spirit.

9 We do not need to write you about having love for your Christian family, because God has already taught you to love each other.

10 And truly you do love the Christians in all of Macedonia. Brothers and sisters, now we encourage you to love them even more.

11 Do all you can to live a peaceful life. Take care of your own business, and do your own work as we have already told you.

12 If you do, then people who are not believers will respect you, and you will not have to depend on others for what you need.

13 Brothers and sisters, we want you to know about those Christians who have died so you will not be sad, as others who have no hope.

14 We believe that Jesus died and that he rose again. So, because of him, God will raise with Jesus those who have died.

15 What we tell you now is the Lord's own message. We who are living when the Lord comes again will not go before those who have already died.

16 The Lord himself will come down from heaven with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. And those who have died believing in Christ will rise first.

17 After that, we who are still alive will be gathered up with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And we will be with the Lord forever.

18 So encourage each other with these words.

1 Now, brothers and sisters, we do not need to write you about times and dates.

2 You know very well that the day the Lord comes again will be a surprise, like a thief that comes in the night.

3 While people are saying, "We have peace and we are safe," they will be destroyed quickly. It is like pains that come quickly to a woman having a baby. Those people will not escape.

4 But you, brothers and sisters, are not living in darkness, and so that day will not surprise you like a thief.

5 You are all people who belong to the light and to the day. We do not belong to the night or to darkness.

6 So we should not be like other people who are sleeping, but we should be alert and have self-control.

7 Those who sleep, sleep at night. Those who get drunk, get drunk at night.

8 But we belong to the day, so we should control ourselves. We should wear faith and love to protect us, and the hope of salvation should be our helmet.

9 God did not choose us to suffer his anger but to have salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.

10 Jesus died for us so that we can live together with him, whether we are alive or dead when he comes.

11 So encourage each other and give each other strength, just as you are doing now.

12 Now, brothers and sisters, we ask you to appreciate those who work hard among you, who lead you in the Lord and teach you.

13 Respect them with a very special love because of the work they do. Live in peace with each other.

14 We ask you, brothers and sisters, to warn those who do not work. Encourage the people who are afraid. Help those who are weak. Be patient with everyone.

15 Be sure that no one pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to do what is good for each other and for all people.

16 Always be joyful.

17 Pray continually,

18 and give thanks whatever happens. That is what God wants for you in Christ Jesus.

19 Do not hold back the work of the Holy Spirit.

20 Do not treat prophecy as if it were unimportant.

21 But test everything. Keep what is good,

22 and stay away from everything that is evil.

23 Now may God himself, the God of peace, make you pure, belonging only to him. May your whole self -- spirit, soul, and body -- be kept safe and without fault when our Lord Jesus Christ comes.

24 You can trust the One who calls you to do that for you.

25 Brothers and sisters, pray for us.

26 Give each other a holy kiss when you meet.

27 I tell you by the authority of the Lord to read this letter to all the believers.

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