Study Desk

And we also thank God continually^(aa) because, when you received the word of God,^(ab) 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.

For you, brothers and sisters, became imitators^(ac) of God's churches in Judea,^(ad) which are in Christ Jesus: You suffered from your own people^(ae) the same things those churches suffered from the Jews

who killed the Lord Jesus^(af) and the prophets^(ag) and also drove us out. They displease God and are hostile to everyone

in their effort to keep us from speaking to the Gentiles^(ah) so that they may be saved. In this way they always heap up their sins to the limit.^(ai) The wrath of God has come upon them at last.^[b]

But, brothers and sisters, when we were orphaned by being separated from you for a short time (in person, not in thought),^(aj) out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you.^(ak)

For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, did, again and again—but Satan^(al) blocked our way.^(am)

For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown^(an) in which we will glory^(ao) in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes?^(ap) Is it not you?

Indeed, you are our glory^(aq) and joy.

So when we could stand it no longer,^(a) we thought it best to be left by ourselves in Athens.^(b)

We sent Timothy,^(c) who is our brother and co-worker^(d) in God's service in spreading the gospel of Christ,^(e) to strengthen and encourage you in your faith,

so that no one would be unsettled by these trials.^(f) For you know quite well that we are destined for them.^(g)

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.^(h)

For this reason, when I could stand it no longer,⁽ⁱ⁾ I sent to find out about your faith.^(j) I was afraid that in some way the tempter^(k) had tempted you and that our labors might have been in vain.^(l)

Timothy's Encouraging Report

But Timothy^(m) has just now come to us from you⁽ⁿ⁾ and has brought good news about your faith and love.^(o) 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.^(p)

Therefore, brothers and sisters, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith.

For now we really live, since you are standing firm^(q) in the Lord.

How can we thank God enough for you^(r) in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you?^(s)

Night and day we pray^(t) most earnestly that we may see you again^(u) and supply what is lacking in your faith.

Now may our God and Father^(v) himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you.

May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other^(w) and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.

May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless^(x) and holy in the presence of our God and Father^(y) when our Lord Jesus comes^(z) with all his holy ones.^(aa)

Living to Please God

As for other matters, brothers and sisters,^(a) we instructed you how to live^(b) in order to please God,^(c) as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more.

For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus.

It is God's will^(d) that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality;^(e)

that each of you should learn to control your own body^[a](f) in a way that is holy and honorable,

not in passionate lust^(g) like the pagans,^(h) who do not know God;⁽ⁱ⁾

and that in this matter no one should wrong or take advantage of a brother or sister.^[b](j) The Lord will punish^(k) all those who commit such sins,^(l) as we told you and warned you before.

For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life.^(m)

Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit.⁽ⁿ⁾

Now about your love for one another^(o) we do not need to write to you,^(p) for you yourselves have been taught by God^(q) to love each other.^(r)

And in fact, you do love all of God's family throughout Macedonia.^(s) Yet we urge you, brothers and sisters, to do so more and more,^(t)

and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands,^(u) just as we told you,

so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders^(v) and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.

Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed^(w) about those who sleep in death,^(x) so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope.^(y)

For we believe that Jesus died and rose again,^(z) and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.^(aa)

According to the Lord's word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord,^(ab) will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep.^(ac)

For the Lord himself will come down from heaven,^(ad) with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel^(ae) and with the trumpet call of God,^(af) and the dead in Christ will rise first.^(ag)

After that, we who are still alive and are left^(ah) will be caught up together with them in the clouds^(ai) to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord^(aj) forever.

Therefore encourage one another^(ak) with these words.

The Day of the Lord

Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates^(a) we do not need to write to you,^(b)

for you know very well that the day of the Lord^(c) will come like a thief in the night.^(d)

While people are saying, "Peace and safety,"^(e) destruction will come on them suddenly,^(f) as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.^(g)

But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness^(h) so that this day should surprise you like a thief.⁽ⁱ⁾

You are all children of the light^(j) and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness.

So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep,^(k) but let us be awake^(l) and sober.^(m)

For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night.⁽ⁿ⁾

But since we belong to the day,^(o) let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate,^(p) and the hope of salvation^(q) as a helmet.^(r)

For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath^(s) but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.^(t)

He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him.^(u)

Therefore encourage one another^(v) and build each other up,^(w) just as in fact you are doing.

Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard^(x) among you, who care for you in the Lord^(y) and who admonish you.

Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.^(z)

And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle^(aa) and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak,^(ab) be patient with everyone.

Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong,^(ac) but always strive to do what is good for each other^(ad) and for everyone else.

Rejoice always,^(ae)

pray continually,^(af)

give thanks in all circumstances;^(ag) for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

Do not quench the Spirit.^(ah)

Do not treat prophecies^(ai) with contempt

but test them all;^(aj) hold on to what is good,^(ak)

reject every kind of evil.

May God himself, the God of peace,^(al) sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul^(am) and body be kept blameless^(an) at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.^(ao)

The one who calls^(ap) you is faithful,^(aq) and he will do it.^(ar)

Brothers and sisters, pray for us.^(as)

Greet all God's people with a holy kiss.^(at)

I charge you before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers and sisters.^(au)

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.^(av)