^
1 THESSALONIANS
1 Thessalonians 1:1
I, Paul, greet you believers who are in Thessalonica
We always thankGodforyouall. We continually remember thewayyou live as believers andwe know thatGod chose you. The Holy Spirit enabled usto powerfully tell youthe good message, andalthoughpeople persecuted you greatly, youwere joyful. Asa result, you inspired allthe believers whoarein Macedonia and Achaia to trust inGod firmly, asyoudo.
You and God know that it is true that we behaved in a very virtuous, upright, and irreproachable manner toward you. You know also that we continually exhorted, encouraged, and urged that you behave in the way that God's people should.
We continually thank Godalsothatyou accepted as true a message thatdoesnot originate from human beings. Instead, you accepted as true the message that originates fromGod, andtheresultwasthatpeople caused youto suffer as Christ did.
Itisbecauseofyouthatweare pleased and joyful. Sowhenpeople forced Silas, Timothy andmetobe separated fromyoufora short time, we strongly desired tobewithyou.
When I could no longer endure worrying about you, I sent Timothy to you in order to find out whether or not you were still trusting in God.
Now Timothy hasjustreturnedandhas told usthe good news thatyou still trust in Christ. Asaresult, wehavebeen cheered up, andwecannot thank God adequately forwhathehasdoneforyou. Very frequently we ask God thatwewillbe able to visit youand help youto trust himmore strongly.
WepraythatGodwill help usto return toyouandthatthe Lord Jesuswill help youto love each other and other peoplemoreandmore, just like we love youmoreandmore.
Just like we told you previously, we strongly urge you to increasingly live in a way that will please God.
God wants you, by your behaving in a sexually pure way, to show that you completely belong to him.
We urge youto increasingly love each other, to strive to work atyourown occupations, andnot meddle in others' affairs.
Godwill cause toliveagainthose believers who died andwill bring themtothe sky withJesus. Encourage each other by telling this message.
We believers should be prepared for the time when the Lord Jesus returns and not be as unbelievers who will be unprepared. We must not be like them. On the contrary, we must be vigilant and self-controlled.
God has destined us believers tobe saved from future punishment andtobe able tolivetogetherwithour Lord Jesusafterhe returns. Sincethisis true, encourage each other.
Recognize as leaders thosepeoplewho care forand instruct you; highly esteem and love them. Live peacefully witheachother.
Warn believers whowillnotwork, and encourage and help thosewho need it. Be patient withallpeople. Do good thingsforallofthem, includingthosewhodo evil thingstoyou.
Always rejoice, pray, and thank God.
Evaluate all messages thatpeople claim thatthe Holy Spirit gavethem. Accept authentic messages and obey them.
We pray that God will cause youtobe distinct peoplewho behave right ineveryway, andI am sure thathewill do this.
Pray forus. Affectionately greet allyour fellow believers, andmake certain thatsomeone reads this letter aloud toallofthem. Maythe Lord bless you.

Note: The Old Testament in this translation is still being worked on, and is in draft form. Updates will be posted at eBible.org/t4t/.

© 2008-2017 Ellis W. Deibler, Jr.