1:1Paul and Timothy, servants of Jesus Christ;
To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with theoverseersandservants:1:2Grace to you, and peace from God, our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.1:3I thank my God whenever I remember you,1:4always in every request of mine on behalf of you all making my requests with joy,1:5for yourpartnershipin furtherance of the Good News from the first day until now;1:6being confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.1:7It is even right for me to think this way on behalf of all of you, because I have you in my heart, because, both in my bonds and in the defense and confirmation of the Good News, you all are partakers with me of grace.1:8For God is my witness, how I long after all of you in the tender mercies of Christ Jesus.
1:9This I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and all discernment;1:10so that you may approve the things that are excellent; that you may be sincere and without offense to the day of Christ;1:11being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
1:12Now I desire to have you know,brothers,that the things which happened to me have turned out rather to the progress of the Good News;1:13so that it became evident to the whole praetorian guard, and to all the rest, that my bonds are in Christ;1:14and that most of the brothers in the Lord, being confident through my bonds, are more abundantly bold to speak the word of God without fear.1:15Some indeed preach Christ even out of envy and strife, and some also out of good will.1:16The former insincerely preach Christ from selfish ambition, thinking that they add affliction to my chains;1:17but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the Good News.
1:18What does it matter? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed. I rejoice in this, yes, and will rejoice.1:19For I know that this will turn out to my salvation, through your supplication and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,1:20according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will in no way be disappointed, but with all boldness, as always, now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life, or by death.1:21For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.1:22But if I live on in the flesh, this will bring fruit from my work; yet I don't make known what I will choose.1:23But I am in a dilemma between the two, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better.1:24Yet, to remain in the flesh is more needful for your sake.1:25Having this confidence, I know that I will remain, yes, and remain with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith,1:26that your rejoicing may abound in Christ Jesus in me through my presence with you again.
1:27Only let your manner of life be worthy of the Good News of Christ, that, whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your state, that you stand firm in one spirit, with one soul striving for the faith of the Good News;1:28and in nothing frightened by the adversaries, which is for them a proof of destruction, but to you of salvation, and that from God.1:29Because it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in him, but also to suffer on his behalf,1:30having the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear is in me.
2:1If there is therefore any exhortation in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any tender mercies and compassion,2:2make my joy full, by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind;2:3doing nothing through rivalry or through conceit, but in humility, each counting others better than himself;2:4each of you not just looking to his own things, but each of you also to the things of others.
2:5Have this in your mind, which was also in Christ Jesus,2:6who, existing in the form of God, didn't consider equality with God a thing to be grasped,2:7but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men.2:8And being found in human form, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, yes, the death of the cross.2:9Therefore God also highly exalted him, and gave to him the name which is above every name;2:10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, those on earth, and those under the earth,2:11and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
2:12So then, my beloved, even as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.2:13For it is God who works in you both to will and to work, for his good pleasure.2:14Do all things without murmurings and disputes,2:15that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you are seen as lights in the world,2:16holding up the word of life; that I may have something to boast in the day of Christ, that I didn't run in vain nor labor in vain.2:17Yes, and if I am poured out on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice, and rejoice with you all.2:18In the same way, you also rejoice, and rejoice with me.
2:19But I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered up when I know how you are doing.2:20For I have no one else like-minded, who will truly care about you.2:21For they all seek their own, not the things of Jesus Christ.2:22But you know the proof of him, that, as a child serves a father, so he served with me in furtherance of the Good News.2:23Therefore I hope to send him at once, as soon as I see how it will go with me.2:24But I trust in the Lord that I myself also will come shortly.2:25But I counted it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, fellow soldier, and your apostle and servant of my need;2:26since he longed for you all, and was very troubled, because you had heard that he was sick.2:27For indeed he was sick, nearly to death, but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, that I might not have sorrow on sorrow.2:28I have sent him therefore the more diligently, that, when you see him again, you may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful.2:29Receive him therefore in the Lord with all joy, and hold such in honor,2:30because for the work of Christ he came near to death, risking his life to supply that which was lacking in your service toward me.
3:1Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not tiresome, but for you it is safe.3:2Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision.3:3For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh;3:4though I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. If any other man thinks that he has confidence in the flesh, I yet more:3:5circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee;3:6concerning zeal, persecuting the assembly; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, found blameless.
3:7However, what things were gain to me, these have I counted loss for Christ.3:8Yes most certainly, and I count all things to be loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus, my Lord, for whom I suffered the loss of all things, and count them nothing but refuse, that I may gain Christ3:9and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own, that which is of the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith;3:10that I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, becoming conformed to his death;3:11if by any means I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.3:12Not that I have already obtained, or am already made perfect; but I press on, if it is so that I may take hold of that for which also I was taken hold of by Christ Jesus.
3:13Brothers, I don't regard myself as yet having taken hold, but one thing I do. Forgetting the things which are behind, and stretching forward to the things which are before,3:14I press on toward the goal for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.3:15Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, think this way. If in anything you think otherwise, God will also reveal that to you.3:16Nevertheless, to the extent that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule. Let us be of the same mind.3:17Brothers, be imitators together of me, and note those who walk this way, even as you have us for an example.3:18For many walk, of whom I told you often, and now tell you even weeping, as the enemies of the cross of Christ,3:19whose end is destruction, whose god is the belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who think about earthly things.3:20For our citizenship is in heaven, from where we also wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ;3:21who will change the body of our humiliation to be conformed to the body of his glory, according to the working by which he is able even to subject all things to himself.
4:1Therefore, my brothers, beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand firm in the Lord, my beloved.4:2I exhort Euodia, and I exhort Syntyche, to think the same way in the Lord.4:3Yes, I beg you also, true yokefellow, help these women, for they labored with me in the Good News, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.4:4Rejoice in the Lord always! Again I will say, Rejoice!4:5Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.4:6In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.4:7And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.
4:8Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there is any virtue, and if there is any praise, think about these things.4:9The things which you learned, received, heard, and saw in me: do these things, and the God of peace will be with you.4:10But I rejoice in the Lord greatly, that now at length you have revived your thought for me; in which you did indeed take thought, but you lacked opportunity.4:11Not that I speak in respect to lack, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content in it.4:12I know how to be humbled, and I know also how to abound. In everything and in all things I have learned the secret both to be filled and to be hungry, both to abound and to be in need.4:13I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.4:14However you did well that you shared in my affliction.4:15You yourselves also know, you Philippians, that in the beginning of the Good News, when I departed from Macedonia, no assembly shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you only.4:16For even in Thessalonica you sent once and again to my need.4:17Not that I seek for the gift, but I seek for the fruit that increases to your account.4:18But I have all things, and abound. I am filled, having received from Epaphroditus the things that came from you, a sweet-smelling fragrance, an acceptable and well-pleasing sacrifice to God.4:19My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.4:20Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever! Amen.
4:21Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you.4:22All the saints greet you, especially those who are of Caesar's household.4:23The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
Notes:
[1]back to 1:1or, superintendents, or bishops
[2]back to 1:1Or, deacons
[3]back to 1:5The word translated "partnership" (koinonia) also means "fellowship" and "sharing."
[4]back to 1:12The word for "brothers" here and where context allows may also be correctly translated "brothers and sisters" or "siblings."
1:1Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, and Timothy our brother,1:2to the saints and faithfulbrothersin Christ at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
1:3We give thanks to God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,1:4having heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which you have toward all the saints,1:5because of the hope which is laid up for you in the heavens, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the Good News,1:6which has come to you; even as it is in all the world and is bearing fruit and growing, as it does in you also, since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth;1:7even as you learned of Epaphras our beloved fellow servant, who is a faithful servant of Christ on our behalf,1:8who also declared to us your love in the Spirit.1:9For this cause, we also, since the day we heard this, don't cease praying and making requests for you, that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,1:10that you may walk worthily of the Lord, to please him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;1:11strengthened with all power, according to the might of his glory, for all endurance and perseverance with joy;1:12giving thanks to the Father, who made us fit to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light;1:13who delivered us out of the power of darkness, and translated us into the Kingdom of the Son of his love;1:14in whom we have our redemption,*the forgiveness of our sins;1:15who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.1:16For by him all things were created, in the heavens and on the earth, things visible and things invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things have been created through him, and for him.1:17He is before all things, and in him all things are held together.1:18He is the head of the body, the assembly, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.1:19For all the fullness was pleased to dwell in him;1:20and through him to reconcile all things to himself, by him, whether things on the earth, or things in the heavens, having made peace through the blood of his cross.
1:21You, being in past times alienated and enemies in your mind in your evil works,1:22yet now he has reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and without blemish and blameless before him,1:23if it is so that you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the Good News which you heard, which is being proclaimed in all creation under heaven; of which I, Paul, was made a servant.
1:24Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and fill up on my part that which is lacking of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the assembly;1:25of which I was made a servant, according to the stewardship of God which was given me toward you, to fulfill the word of God,1:26the mystery which has been hidden for ages and generations. But now it has been revealed to his saints,1:27to whom God was pleased to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory;1:28whom we proclaim, admonishing every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus;1:29for which I also labor, striving according to his working, which works in me mightily.
2:1For I desire to have you know how greatly I struggle for you, and for those at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;2:2that their hearts may be comforted, they being knit together in love, and gaining all riches of the full assurance of understanding, that they may know the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ,2:3in whom are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge hidden.2:4Now this I say that no one may delude you with persuasiveness of speech.2:5For though I am absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, rejoicing and seeing your order, and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ.2:6As therefore you received Christ Jesus, the Lord, walk in him,2:7rooted and built up in him, and established in the faith, even as you were taught, abounding in it in thanksgiving.2:8Be careful that you don't let anyone rob you through his philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the elements of the world, and not after Christ.2:9For in him all the fullness of the Godhead dwells bodily,2:10and in him you are made full, who is the head of all principality and power;2:11in whom you were also circumcised with a circumcision not made with hands, in the putting off of the body of the sins of the flesh, in the circumcision of Christ;2:12having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.2:13You were dead through your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh. He made you alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses,2:14wiping out the handwriting in ordinances which was against us; and he has taken it out of the way, nailing it to the cross;2:15having stripped the principalities and the powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
2:16Let no man therefore judge you in eating, or in drinking, or with respect to a feast day or a new moon or a Sabbath day,2:17which are a shadow of the things to come; but the body is Christ's.2:18Let no one rob you of your prize by a voluntary humility and worshipping of the angels, dwelling in the things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,2:19and not holding firmly to the Head, from whom all the body, being supplied and knit together through the joints and ligaments, grows with God's growth.2:20If you died with Christ from the elements of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to ordinances,2:21"Don't handle, nor taste, nor touch"2:22(all of which perish with use), according to the precepts and doctrines of men?2:23Which things indeed appear like wisdom in self-imposed worship, and humility, and severity to the body; but aren't of any value against the indulgence of the flesh.
3:1If then you were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated on the right hand of God.3:2Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are on the earth.3:3For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.3:4When Christ, our life, is revealed, then you will also be revealed with him in glory.3:5Put to death therefore your members which are on the earth: sexual immorality, uncleanness, depraved passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry;3:6for which things' sake the wrath of God comes on the children of disobedience.3:7You also once walked in those, when you lived in them;3:8but now you also put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and shameful speaking out of your mouth.3:9Don't lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old man with his doings,3:10and have put on the new man, who is being renewed in knowledge after the image of his Creator,3:11where there can't be Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bondservant, freeman; but Christ is all, and in all.
3:12Put on therefore, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, humility, and perseverance;3:13bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, if any man has a complaint against any; even as Christ forgave you, so you also do.
3:14Above all these things, walk in love, which is the bond of perfection.3:15And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.3:16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your heart to the Lord.
3:17Whatever you do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father, through him.
3:18Wives, be in subjection to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
3:19Husbands, love your wives, and don't be bitter against them.
3:20Children, obey your parents in all things, for this pleases the Lord.
3:21Fathers, don't provoke your children, so that they won't be discouraged.
3:22Servants, obey in all things those who are your masters according to the flesh, not just when they are looking, as men pleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing God.3:23And whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord, and not for men,3:24knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.3:25But he who does wrong will receive again for the wrong that he has done, and there is no partiality.
4:1Masters, give to your servants that which is just and equal, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.
4:2Continue steadfastly in prayer, watching therein with thanksgiving;4:3praying together for us also, that God may open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds;4:4that I may reveal it as I ought to speak.4:5Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time.4:6Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.
4:7All my affairs will be made known to you by Tychicus, the beloved brother, faithful servant, and fellow bondservant in the Lord.4:8I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts,4:9together with Onesimus, the faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you everything that is going on here.4:10Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner greets you, and Mark, the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you received commandments, "if he comes to you, receive him"),4:11and Jesus who is called Justus, who are of the circumcision. These are my only fellow workers for the Kingdom of God, men who have been a comfort to me.
4:12Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, salutes you, always striving for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.4:13For I testify about him, that he has great zeal for you, and for those in Laodicea, and for those in Hierapolis.4:14Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas greet you.4:15Greet the brothers who are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the assembly that is in his house.4:16When this letter has been read among you, cause it to be read also in the assembly of the Laodiceans; and that you also read the letter from Laodicea.4:17Tell Archippus, "Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you fulfill it."
4:18The salutation of me, Paul, with my own hand: remember my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen.
Notes:
[1]back to 1:2The word for "brothers" here and where context allows may also be correctly translated "brothers and sisters" or "siblings."
[2]back to 1:14TR adds "through his blood,"
1:1Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, to the assembly of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
1:2We always give thanks to God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers,1:3remembering without ceasing your work of faith and labor of love and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, before our God and Father.1:4We know,brothersloved by God, that you are chosen,1:5and that our Good News came to you not in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit, and with much assurance. You know what kind of men we showed ourselves to be among you for your sake.1:6You became imitators of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit,1:7so that you became an example to all who believe in Macedonia and in Achaia.1:8For from you the word of the Lord has been declared, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith toward God has gone out; so that we need not to say anything.1:9For they themselves report concerning us what kind of a reception we had from you; and how you turned to God from idols, to serve a living and true God,1:10and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead--Jesus, who delivers us from the wrath to come.
2:1For you yourselves know, brothers, our visit to you wasn't in vain,2:2but having suffered before and been shamefully treated, as you know, at Philippi, we grew bold in our God to tell you the Good News of God in much conflict.2:3For our exhortation is not of error, nor of uncleanness, nor in deception.2:4But even as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News, so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, who tests our hearts.2:5For neither were we at any time found using words of flattery, as you know, nor a cloak of covetousness (God is witness),2:6nor seeking glory from men (neither from you nor from others), when we might have claimed authority as apostles of Christ.2:7But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother cherishes her own children.
2:8Even so, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you, not the Good News of God only, but also our own souls, because you had become very dear to us.2:9For you remember, brothers, our labor and travail; for working night and day, that we might not burden any of you, we preached to you the Good News of God.2:10You are witnesses with God, how holy, righteously, and blamelessly we behaved ourselves toward you who believe.2:11As you know, we exhorted, comforted, and implored every one of you, as a father does his own children,2:12to the end that you should walk worthily of God, who calls you into his own Kingdom and glory.2:13For this cause we also thank God without ceasing, that, when you received from us the word of the message of God, you accepted it not as the word of men, but, as it is in truth, the word of God, which also works in you who believe.2:14For you, brothers, became imitators of the assemblies of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus; for you also suffered the same things from your own countrymen, even as they did from the Jews;2:15who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and drove us out, and didn't please God, and are contrary to all men;2:16forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they may be saved; to fill up their sins always. But wrath has come on them to the uttermost.
2:17But we, brothers, being bereaved of you for a short season, in presence, not in heart, tried even harder to see your face with great desire,2:18because we wanted to come to you--indeed, I, Paul, once and again--but Satan hindered us.2:19For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Isn't it even you, before our Lord Jesus*at his coming?2:20For you are our glory and our joy.
3:1Therefore, when we couldn't stand it any longer, we thought it good to be left behind at Athens alone,3:2and sent Timothy, our brother and God's servant in the Good News of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith;3:3that no one be moved by these afflictions. For you know that we are appointed to this task.3:4For most certainly, when we were with you, we told you beforehand that we are to suffer affliction, even as it happened, and you know.3:5For this cause I also, when I couldn't stand it any longer, sent that I might know your faith, for fear that by any means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor would have been in vain.3:6But when Timothy came just now to us from you, and brought us glad news of your faith and love, and that you have good memories of us always, longing to see us, even as we also long to see you;3:7for this cause, brothers, we were comforted over you in all our distress and affliction through your faith.3:8For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord.3:9For what thanksgiving can we render again to God for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice for your sakes before our God;3:10night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face, and may perfect that which is lacking in your faith?3:11Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way to you;3:12and the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we also do toward you,3:13to the end he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.
4:1Finally then, brothers, we beg and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, that you abound more and more.4:2For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus.4:3For this is the will of God: your sanctification, that you abstain from sexual immorality,4:4that each one of you know how to possess himself of his own vessel in sanctification and honor,4:5not in the passion of lust, even as the Gentiles who don't know God;4:6that no one should take advantage of and wrong a brother or sister in this matter; because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as also we forewarned you and testified.4:7For God called us not for uncleanness, but in sanctification.4:8Therefore he who rejects this doesn't reject man, but God, who has also given his Holy Spirit to you.
4:9But concerning brotherly love, you have no need that one write to you. For you yourselves are taught by God to love one another,4:10for indeed you do it toward all the brothers who are in all Macedonia. But we exhort you, brothers, that you abound more and more;4:11and that you make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, even as we instructed you;4:12that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and may have need of nothing.
4:13But we don't want you to be ignorant, brothers, concerning those who have fallen asleep, so that you don't grieve like the rest, who have no hope.4:14For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus.4:15For this we tell you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left to the coming of the Lord, will in no way precede those who have fallen asleep.4:16For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with God's trumpet. The dead in Christ will rise first,4:17then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air. So we will be with the Lord forever.4:18Therefore comfort one another with these words.
5:1But concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need that anything be written to you.5:2For you yourselves know well that the day of the Lord comes like a thief in the night.5:3For when they are saying, "Peace and safety," then sudden destruction will come on them, like birth pains on a pregnant woman; and they will in no way escape.5:4But you, brothers, aren't in darkness, that the day should overtake you like a thief.5:5You are all children of light, and children of the day. We don't belong to the night, nor to darkness,5:6so then let's not sleep, as the rest do, but let's watch and be sober.5:7For those who sleep, sleep in the night, and those who are drunk are drunk in the night.5:8But let us, since we belong to the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and, for a helmet, the hope of salvation.5:9For God didn't appoint us to wrath, but to the obtaining of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,5:10who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.5:11Therefore exhort one another, and build each other up, even as you also do.5:12But we beg you, brothers, to know those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you,5:13and to respect and honor them in love for their work's sake.
Be at peace among yourselves.5:14We exhort you, brothers, admonish the disorderly, encourage the fainthearted, support the weak, be patient toward all.5:15See that no one returns evil for evil to anyone, but always follow after that which is good, for one another, and for all.
5:16Rejoice always.5:17Pray without ceasing.5:18In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus toward you.5:19Don't quench the Spirit.5:20Don't despise prophesies.5:21Test all things, and hold firmly that which is good.5:22Abstain from every form of evil.
5:23May the God of peace himself sanctify you completely. May your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
5:24He who calls you is faithful, who will also do it.5:25Brothers, pray for us.5:26Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss.5:27I solemnly command you by the Lord that this letter be read to all the holy brothers.
5:28The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
Notes:
[1]back to 1:4The word for "brothers" here and where context allows may also be correctly translated "brothers and sisters" or "siblings."
[2]back to 2:19TR adds "Christ"
1:1Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, to the assembly of the Thessalonians in God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ:1:2Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
1:3We are bound to always give thanks to God for you,brothers,even as it is appropriate, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of each and every one of you towards one another abounds;1:4so that we ourselves boast about you in the assemblies of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions which you endure.1:5This is an obvious sign of the righteous judgment of God, to the end that you may be counted worthy of the Kingdom of God, for which you also suffer.1:6Since it is a righteous thing with God to repay affliction to those who afflict you,1:7and to give relief to you who are afflicted with us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire,1:8giving vengeance to those who don't know God, and to those who don't obey the Good News of our Lord Jesus,1:9who will pay the penalty: eternal destruction from the face of the Lord and from the glory of his might,1:10when he comes to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired among all those who have believed (because our testimony to you was believed) in that day.
1:11To this end we also pray always for you, that our God may count you worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire of goodness and work of faith, with power;1:12that the name of our Lord Jesus*may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
2:1Now, brothers, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and our gathering together to him, we ask you2:2not to be quickly shaken in your mind, nor yet be troubled, either by spirit, or by word, or by letter as from us, saying that the day of Christ had come.2:3Let no one deceive you in any way. For it will not be, unless the departure comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of destruction,2:4he who opposes and exalts himself against all that is called God or that is worshiped; so that he sits as God in the temple of God, setting himself up as God.2:5Don't you remember that, when I was still with you, I told you these things?2:6Now you know what is restraining him, to the end that he may be revealed in his own season.2:7For the mystery of lawlessness already works. Only there is one who restrains now, until he is taken out of the way.2:8Then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will kill with the breath of his mouth, and destroy by the manifestation of his coming;2:9even he whose coming is according to the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,2:10and with all deception of wickedness for those who are being lost, because they didn't receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.2:11Because of this, God sends them a working of error, that they should believe a lie;2:12that they all might be judged who didn't believe the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.2:13But we are bound to always give thanks to God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because God chose you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief in the truth;2:14to which he called you through our Good News, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.2:15So then, brothers, stand firm, and hold the traditions which you were taught by us, whether by word, or by letter.
2:16Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace,2:17comfort your hearts and establish you in every good work and word.
3:1Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may spread rapidly and be glorified, even as also with you;3:2and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and evil men; for not all have faith.3:3But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you, and guard you from the evil one.3:4We have confidence in the Lord concerning you, that you both do and will do the things we command.3:5May the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patience of Christ.
3:6Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw yourselves from every brother who walks in rebellion, and not after the tradition which they received from us.3:7For you know how you ought to imitate us. For we didn't behave ourselves rebelliously among you,3:8neither did we eat bread from anyone's hand without paying for it, but in labor and travail worked night and day, that we might not burden any of you;3:9not because we don't have the right, but to make ourselves an example to you, that you should imitate us.3:10For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: "If anyone will not work, neither let him eat."3:11For we hear of some who walk among you in rebellion, who don't work at all, but are busybodies.3:12Now those who are that way, we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.
3:13But you, brothers, don't be weary in doing well.3:14If any man doesn't obey our word in this letter, note that man, that you have no company with him, to the end that he may be ashamed.3:15Don't count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.
3:16Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in all ways. The Lord be with you all.
3:17The greeting of me, Paul, with my own hand, which is the sign in every letter: this is how I write.3:18The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
Notes:
[1]back to 1:3The word for "brothers" here and where context allows may also be correctly translated "brothers and sisters" or "siblings."
[2]back to 1:12TR adds "Christ"