A New Translation of Paul’s First Letter to the Church of The

Thessalonians

Based on the Westcott and Hort Text of 1881 with references to the Papyrus fragments of the Chester Beatty collections, c. 3^rd Century A.D. and the Sinaitic Manuscript of the 4^th Century.

Some notes on this translation:

Thou vs. YOU: Many people today have a hard time understanding the Elizabethan usage of thou, thee, thy, etc. For this reason, we have chosen to avoid this archaic language. At the same time, we need to be able to fulfill the purpose of those words, which was to distinguish between a singular YOU and a plural YOU. Following the example of other translations, we have used all capital letters to indicate plural (more than one person addressed), and small letters to indicate singular (one person addressed).

Words in italics: Following the example of other translations, we have used italics for words that are not in the original text, but which are essential to the sense of the original when translated into English. Unlike other translations, however, we have NOT added words which alter the meaning of the original.

Words in (parentheses): These are not part of the biblical text, but are notes of explanation from the translator.

1 Thessalonians 1

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

2 We give thanks to God always for YOU all, making mention in our prayers;

3 remembering unceasingly YOUR work of faith and labor of love and endurance of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, before our God and Father;

4 knowing, brethren beloved of God, YOUR election,

5 that our gospel did not come to YOU in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit, and much assurance; just as YOU know what sort of people we became to YOU because of YOU.

6 And YOU became imitators of us and of the Lord, having accepted the word in much tribulation, with joy of the Holy Spirit;

7 so that YOU became an example to all who believe in Macedonia and in Achaia.

8 For from YOU the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place YOUR faith in God has gone; so that we do not need to speak anything.

9 For they themselves report back about us, what sort of entrance we had to YOU; and how YOU turned to 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, Jesus, who draws us to himself out of the wrath to come.

1 Thessalonians 2

1 For YOU YOURSELVES, brethren, have known our entrance to YOU, that it has not been in vain:

2 but having suffered before and been rudely treated, as YOU know, at Philippi, we were made bolder in our God to speak to YOU the gospel of God with much struggling.

3 For our encouraging does not come from error, nor from uncleanness, nor in deceit:

4 but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God who proves our hearts.

5 For neither at any time were we found using words of flattery, as YOU know, nor a pretense of covetousness, --God is witness--

6 nor seeking glory from men, neither from YOU nor from others, when we might have been a heavy burden as apostles of Christ.

7 But we were babes in the midst of YOU, as when a nursing mother cherishes her own children:

8 even so, having affectionate desire of YOU, we were well pleased to share with YOU, not only the gospel of God, but also our own souls, through which YOU became beloved to us.

9 For YOU remember, brethren, our labor and toil: working night and day, that we might not burden any of YOU, we preached to YOU the gospel of God.

10 YOU are witnesses, and God, how loyal and righteous and unblameable we became to YOU who believe:

11 just as YOU know to each one of YOU, as a father with his own children, encouraging YOU, and consoling, and bearing witness,

12 in order that YOU walk worthily of God, who calls YOU into his kingdom and glory.

13 And therefore we also thank God unceasingly, because having received from us the word of God by hearing, YOU accepted, not the word of men, but, as it truthfully is, the word of God, which also is working in YOU who believe.

14 For YOU, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus which are in Judea: for YOU also suffered the same things from YOUR own countrymen, even as they did from the Jews;

15 who killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and persecuted us, and not pleasing God, and are against all men;

16 hindering us to speak to the nations that they might be saved; to fill up their sins always: but the wrath has come upon them in the end.

17 But we, brethren, being bereaved of YOU for a short season, in presence not in heart, hastened more abundantly with much desire to see YOUR face:

18 therefore we wanted to come to YOU, I, indeed, Paul, once and again; but Satan cut in on us.

19 For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting? Isn’t it YOU -- before our Lord Jesus at his coming?

20 For YOU are our glory and joy.

1 Thessalonians 3

1 So when we could no longer bear up, we thought it good to be left behind in Athens alone;

2 and sent Timothy, our brother and God's minister in the gospel of Christ, to establish YOU, and to comfort about YOUR faith;

3 that no one be swayed by these tribulations; for YOU YOURSELVES know that we are appointed to this very thing.

4 For when we were by YOU, we were telling YOU beforehand that we are about to suffer tribulation; just as it has happened, and YOU knew.

5 Therefore I also, no longer bearing up, sent to know YOUR faith, lest somehow the tempter had tempted YOU, and our labor might become in vain.

6 But Timothy just now came to us from YOU, and has given us good news of YOUR faith and love, and that YOU have good remembrance of us always, yearning to see us, as we also to see YOU;

7 so, brethren, we were comforted about YOU, about the necessity, and our tribulation, through YOUR faith:

8 because now we are living, if YOU are standing in the Lord.

9 For what thanksgiving can we give back to God for YOU, for all the joy with which we rejoice because of YOU before our God;

10 night and day praying more than abundantly to see YOUR face, and to correct that which is lacking in YOUR faith?

11 Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to YOU:

12 and the Lord make YOU to increase and to abound in love to one another, and to all, just as we also to YOU;

13 in order to establish YOUR hearts unblameable in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.

1 Thessalonians 4

1 Finally then, brethren, we request and encourage YOU in the Lord Jesus, that, just as YOU received from us how YOU ought to walk and to please God, --just as YOU are walking,-- that YOU abound more and more.

2 For YOU know what charges we gave to YOU through the Lord Jesus.

3 For this is the will of God: YOUR sanctification, that YOU abstain from fornication;

4 that each one of YOU know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor,

5 not in the passion of desire like the nations who don’t know God;

6 that no one step on and take advantage of his brother in the matter: because the Lord is avenger in all these things, as we also told YOU before and thoroughly bore witness.

7 For God did not call us for uncleanness, but in sanctification.

8 So whoever ignores, is not ignoring man, but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to YOU.

9 But concerning brotherly love, YOU have no need that anyone write to YOU: for YOU YOURSELVES are taught by God to love one another;

10 for YOU are doing it to all the brethren in the whole of Macedonia. But we encourage YOU, brethren, that YOU abound more and more;

11 and that YOU be honorable, be quiet, and attend to YOUR own business, and to work with YOUR hands, just as we charged YOU;

12 that YOU may walk decently toward them that are outside, and may have need of nothing.

13 But we are not willing for YOU to be ignorant, brethren, about those asleep; in order that YOU may not be sad, like the rest, who have no hope.

14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose up, even so God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus.

15 For this we say to YOU by the word of the Lord, that we who are living and remaining to the coming of the Lord, will by no means come ahead of them who have fallen asleep.

16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven, with a shout (literally, “a command”), with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first;

17 then we the living who remain at that time, will be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so we shall always be with the Lord.

18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.

1 Thessalonians 5

1 But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, YOU have no need that anything be written to YOU.

2 For YOU YOURSELVES know very well that the day of the Lord is coming as a thief in the night.

3 When they are saying, Peace and security, then sudden destruction is standing on them, as labor pains on a pregnant woman; and they shall by no means escape.

4 But YOU, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day should catch YOU as a thief:

5 for YOU are all sons of light, and sons of day: we are not of night, nor of darkness;

6 so then let us not sleep, as the rest do, but let us be awake and sober.

7 For they that sleep sleep at night: and they that get themselves drunk are drunk at night.

8 But we, being of the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love; and for a helmet, the hope of salvation.

9 For God has not appointed us to wrath, but to obtaining of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,

10 who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we might live together with him.

11 Therefore comfort one another, and build each other up, just as YOU are doing.

12 But we ask YOU, brethren, to know them who labor among YOU, and stand before YOU in the Lord, and admonish YOU;

13 and to esteem them exceeding abundantly in love for their work's sake. Be at peace among YOURSELVES.

14 And we encourage YOU, brethren, admonish the disorderly, console the downhearted, support the weak, be patient with all.

15 See that no one renders to any one evil for evil; but always pursue that which is good, to one another, and to all.

16 Rejoice always;

17 pray unceasingly;

18 Give thanks in everything: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for YOU.

19 Do not extinguish the Spirit;

20 Do not disregard prophecies,

21 but prove all things; hold onto that which is good;

22 abstain from every appearance of evil.

23 But the God of peace himself sanctify YOU completely; and may YOUR spirit and soul and body be preserved wholly blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

24 Faithful is he that calls YOU, who also will do it.

25 Brethren, pray for us also.

26 Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss.

27 I adjure YOU by the Lord that this letter be read to all the brethren.

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