The New Testament of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Part 48

I.

PAUL, and Silva.n.u.s, and Timothy, to the church of the Thessalonians in G.o.d the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you, and peace.

(2)We give thanks to G.o.d always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; (3)remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labor of love, and patience of the hope of our Lord Jesus Christ, before G.o.d and our Father; (4)knowing, brethren beloved of G.o.d, your election; (5)because our gospel came not to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit, and in much a.s.surance; as ye know what manner of men were we among you, for your sake. (6)And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit; (7)so that ye became an example to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia. (8)For from you has sounded forth the word of the Lord, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith toward G.o.d has gone forth; so that we have no need to speak anything. (9)For they themselves report concerning us, what manner of entrance we had to you, and how ye turned to G.o.d from idols, to serve the living and true G.o.d, (10)and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus, who delivers us from the wrath to come.

II.

FOR yourselves, brethren, know our entrance to you, that it has not become vain. (2)But having before suffered, and been shamefully treated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our G.o.d to speak to you the gospel of G.o.d in much conflict. (3)For our exhortation is not of error, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile; (4)but as we have been approved by G.o.d to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak; not as pleasing men, but G.o.d, who proves our hearts. (5)For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloak of covetousness; G.o.d is witness; (6)nor of men sought we glory, neither from you, nor from others, though able to use authority, as Christ's apostles. (7)But we were gentle among you, as a nurse cherishes her children; (8)so, being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to impart to you, not only the gospel of G.o.d, but also our own souls, because ye were dear to us. (9)For ye remember, brethren, our labor and toil; night and day working, in order not to burden any of you, we preached to you the gospel of G.o.d.

(10)Ye are witnesses, and G.o.d, how holily and justly and unblamably we behaved ourselves to you that believe; (11)as ye know how we exhorted, and encouraged, and charged every one of you, as a father his children, (12)that ye should walk worthy of G.o.d, who is calling you into his kingdom and glory.

(13)For this cause we also thank G.o.d without ceasing, that when ye received the word of G.o.d heard from us, ye received not the word of men, but, as it is in truth, the word of G.o.d, which also works in you that believe. (14)For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of G.o.d which are in Judaea in Christ Jesus; for ye also suffered the same things of your own countrymen, as they have of the Jews; (15)who both killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us forth, and please not G.o.d, and are contrary to all men; (16)hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins always; and the wrath came upon them to the utmost.

(17)But we, brethren, having been severed from you for a short time, in presence, not in heart, endeavored the more abundantly to see your face, with great desire. (18)Wherefore we would fain have come to you, even I, Paul, once and again; and Satan hindered us. (19)For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of glorying? Are not also ye, in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? (20)For ye are our glory and joy.

III.

WHEREFORE, when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left behind at Athens alone; (2)and sent Timothy, our brother, and a fellow-worker with G.o.d in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to exhort you concerning your faith; (3)that no one should be shaken by these afflictions, for yourselves know that unto this we are appointed. (4)For even when we were with you, we told you before that we are to suffer affliction; as also it came to pa.s.s, and ye know.

(5)For this cause, when I too could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter tempted you, and our labor should be in vain.

(6)But now, when Timothy came to us from you, and brought us good tidings of your faith and love, and that ye have good remembrance of us always, desiring greatly to see us, as we also to see you; (7)for this cause we were consoled, brethren, over you in all our affliction and distress, through your faith; (8)because now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord. (9)For what thanks can we render to G.o.d for you, for all the joy wherewith we rejoice for your sakes before our G.o.d; (10)night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face, and may perfect that which is lacking in your faith?

(11)Now G.o.d and our Father himself, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way to you. (12)And the Lord make you increase and abound in love toward one another, and toward all, as we also do toward you; (13)to the end he may establish your hearts unblamable in holiness before G.o.d and our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.

IV.

FURTHERMORE then, brethren, we beseech you, and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that as ye received from us how ye ought to walk and to please G.o.d, as also ye are walking, ye would abound yet more. (2)For ye know what commands we gave you, through the Lord Jesus. (3)For this is the will of G.o.d, your sanctification, that ye abstain from fornication; (4)that each one of you know how to possess[4:4] his vessel in sanctification and honor; (5)not in l.u.s.tful pa.s.sion, as also the Gentiles who know not G.o.d. (6)That no one go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter[4:6]; because the Lord is the avenger for all these things, as we also told you before, and testified. (7)For G.o.d did not call us to uncleanness, but in sanctification. (8)Therefore he that rejects, rejects not man, but G.o.d, who also gave to you his Holy Spirit.

(9)But concerning brotherly love ye need not that I write to you; for ye yourselves are taught of G.o.d to love one another. (10)For indeed ye do it, toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. But we beseech you, brethren, to abound yet more; (11)and to study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; (12)that ye may walk becomingly toward those without, and may have need of nothing.

(13)But we desire that you should not be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who are sleeping, that ye sorrow not, as others who have no hope. (14)For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, so also those who fell asleep through Jesus will G.o.d bring with him.

(15)For this we say to you, in the word of the Lord, that we the living, who remain unto the coming of the Lord, shall not precede those who fell asleep. (16)Because the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of G.o.d; and the dead in Christ will first rise. (17)Then we the living, who remain, will be caught up together with them in clouds, to meet the Lord in the air; and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

(18)Wherefore, encourage one another with these words.

V.

BUT of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write to you. (2)For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. (3)For when they shall say, Peace and safety, then sudden destruction comes upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.

(4)But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day should overtake you as a thief. (5)For all ye are sons of light, and sons of day; we are not of night, nor of darkness. (6)So then let us not sleep, as others; but let us watch and be sober. (7)For they that sleep, sleep in the night; and they that are drunken, are drunken in the night.

(8)But let us, being of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet, the hope of salvation; (9)because G.o.d did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ; (10)who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. (11)Wherefore encourage each other, and edify one the other, as also ye do.

(12)And we beseech you, brethren, to know those who labor among you, and preside over you in the Lord, and admonish you; (13)and to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. Be at peace among yourselves.

(14)Now we exhort you, brethren, admonish the unruly, comfort the feeble-minded, support the weak, be long-suffering toward all. (15)See that none render evil for evil to any one but ever follow that which is good, both toward one another, and toward all.

(16)Rejoice always. (17)Pray without ceasing. (18)In everything give thanks; for this is the will of G.o.d in Christ Jesus, toward you.

(19)Quench not the Spirit. (20)Despise not prophesyings; (21)but prove all things, hold fast that which is good. (22)Abstain from every form of evil. (23)And the G.o.d of peace himself sanctify you wholly; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved whole without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (24)Faithful is he who calls you, who also will do it.

(25)Brethren, pray for us.

(26)Salute all the brethren with a holy kiss.

(27)I adjure you by the Lord, that this letter be read to all the holy brethren.

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

THE SECOND LETTER OF PAUL TO THE THESSALONIANS.

I.

PAUL, and Silva.n.u.s, and Timothy, to the church of the Thessalonians, in G.o.d our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ: (2)Grace to you, and peace, from G.o.d the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

(3)We are bound to thank G.o.d always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of each one of you all toward one another abounds; (4)so that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of G.o.d, for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and the afflictions which ye endure; (5)a token of the righteous judgment of G.o.d, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of G.o.d, for which ye also suffer; (6)since it is a righteous thing with G.o.d to recompense affliction to those who afflict you, (7)and to you who are afflicted rest with us, at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with the angels of his power, (8)in flaming fire, taking vengeance on those who know not G.o.d, and those who obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ; (9)who shall suffer justice, eternal destruction, from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his power; (10)when he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all who believed (because our testimony to you was believed), in that day.

(11)To which end we also pray for you always, that our G.o.d may count you worthy of the calling, and accomplish all the good pleasure of goodness and the work of faith, with power; (12)that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our G.o.d and the Lord Jesus Christ.

II.

NOW we beseech you, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and our gathering together to him, (2)that ye be not hastily shaken in mind[2:2a], or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter, as through us, as that the day of the Lord is at hand[2:2b]. (3)Let not any one deceive you in any manner; because [that day will not come], except there come first the falling away, and the man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; (4)he that opposes and exalts himself against all that is called G.o.d, or that is wors.h.i.+ped; so that he sits in the temple of G.o.d, showing himself that he is G.o.d.

(5)Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? (6)And now ye know what withholds, in order that he may be revealed in his own time. (7)For the mystery of iniquity is already working; only until he who now withholds shall be out of the way.

(8)And then will the Lawless One be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will consume with the breath of his mouth, and will destroy with the manifestation of his coming; (9)[him,] whose coming is after the working of Satan, in all power and signs and lying wonders, (10)and in all deceit of unrighteousness for those who perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. (11)And for this cause G.o.d sends them a working of delusion, in order that they may believe the lie; (12)that they may all be judged, who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

(13)But we are bound to give thanks to G.o.d always for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because G.o.d from the beginning chose you to salvation, in sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth; (14)whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. (15)So then, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions[2:15] which ye were taught, whether by word, or by our letter.

(16)Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and G.o.d and our Father, who loved us, and gave us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, (17)encourage your hearts, and establish you in every good work and word.

III.

FINALLY, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run, and be glorified, as also with you; (2)and that we may be delivered from perverse and evil men; for all have not the faith. (3)But faithful is the Lord, who will establish you, and guard you from evil[3:3]. (4)And we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, that ye both do, and will do, the things which we command you. (5)And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of G.o.d, and into the patience of Christ.