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1 Thessalonians 4-5
New King James Version

Plea for Purity

4 Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus (A)that you should abound more and more, (B)just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God; 2 for you know what commandments we gave you through the Lord Jesus.

3 For this is (C)the will of God, (D)your sanctification: (E)that you should abstain from sexual immorality; 4 (F)that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, 5 (G)not in passion of lust, (H)like the Gentiles (I)who do not know God; 6 that no one should take advantage of and defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord (J)is the avenger of all such, as we also forewarned you and testified. 7 For God did not call us to uncleanness, (K)but in holiness. 8 (L)Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God, (M)who[a] has also given us His Holy Spirit.

A Brotherly and Orderly Life

9 But concerning brotherly love you have no need that I should write to you, for (N)you yourselves are taught by God (O)to love one another; 10 and indeed you do so toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, (P)that you increase more and more; 11 that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, (Q)to mind your own business, and (R)to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, 12 (S)that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing.

The Comfort of Christ’s Coming

13 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen [b]asleep, lest you sorrow (T)as others (U)who have no hope. 14 For (V)if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him (W)those who [c]sleep in Jesus.

15 For this we say to you (X)by the word of the Lord, that (Y)we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are [d]asleep. 16 For (Z)the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with (AA)the trumpet of God. (AB)And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 (AC)Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them (AD)in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus (AE)we shall always be with the Lord. 18 (AF)Therefore comfort one another with these words.

The Day of the Lord

5 But concerning (AG)the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. 2 For you yourselves know perfectly that (AH)the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. 3 For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then (AI)sudden destruction comes upon them, (AJ)as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. 4 (AK)But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. 5 You are all (AL)sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. 6 (AM)Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but (AN)let us watch and be [e]sober. 7 For (AO)those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk (AP)are drunk at night. 8 But let us who are of the day be sober, (AQ)putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. 9 For (AR)God did not appoint us to wrath, (AS)but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 (AT)who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.

11 Therefore [f]comfort each other and [g]edify one another, just as you also are doing.

Various Exhortations

12 And we urge you, brethren, (AU)to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and [h]admonish you, 13 and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. (AV)Be at peace among yourselves.

14 Now we [i]exhort you, brethren, (AW)warn those who are [j]unruly, (AX)comfort the fainthearted, (AY)uphold the weak, (AZ)be patient with all. 15 (BA)See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always (BB)pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.

16 (BC)Rejoice always, 17 (BD)pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

19 (BE)Do not quench the Spirit. 20 (BF)Do not despise prophecies. 21 (BG)Test all things; (BH)hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil.

Blessing and Admonition

23 Now may (BI)the God of peace Himself (BJ)sanctify[k] you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body (BK)be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you is (BL)faithful, who also will (BM)do it.

25 Brethren, pray for us.

26 Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss.

27 I charge you by the Lord that this [l]epistle be read to all the [m]holy brethren.

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

Footnotes

  1. 1 Thessalonians 4:8 NU who also gives
  2. 1 Thessalonians 4:13 Died
  3. 1 Thessalonians 4:14 Or through Jesus sleep
  4. 1 Thessalonians 4:15 Dead
  5. 1 Thessalonians 5:6 self-controlled
  6. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 Or encourage
  7. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 build one another up
  8. 1 Thessalonians 5:12 instruct or warn
  9. 1 Thessalonians 5:14 encourage
  10. 1 Thessalonians 5:14 insubordinate or idle
  11. 1 Thessalonians 5:23 set you apart
  12. 1 Thessalonians 5:27 letter
  13. 1 Thessalonians 5:27 NU omits holy
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1 Thessalonians 4-5
New International Version

Living to Please God

4 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. 2 For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus.

3 It is God’s will(D) that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality;(E) 4 that each of you should learn to control your own body[a](F) in a way that is holy and honorable, 5 not in passionate lust(G) like the pagans,(H) who do not know God;(I) 6 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. 7 For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life.(M) 8 Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit.(N)

9 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) 10 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) 11 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, 12 so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders(V) and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.

Believers Who Have Died

13 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) 14 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) 15 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) 16 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) 17 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. 18 Therefore encourage one another(AK) with these words.

The Day of the Lord

5 Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates(AL) we do not need to write to you,(AM) 2 for you know very well that the day of the Lord(AN) will come like a thief in the night.(AO) 3 While people are saying, “Peace and safety,”(AP) destruction will come on them suddenly,(AQ) as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.(AR)

4 But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness(AS) so that this day should surprise you like a thief.(AT) 5 You are all children of the light(AU) and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. 6 So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep,(AV) but let us be awake(AW) and sober.(AX) 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night.(AY) 8 But since we belong to the day,(AZ) let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate,(BA) and the hope of salvation(BB) as a helmet.(BC) 9 For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath(BD) but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.(BE) 10 He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him.(BF) 11 Therefore encourage one another(BG) and build each other up,(BH) just as in fact you are doing.

Final Instructions

12 Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard(BI) among you, who care for you in the Lord(BJ) and who admonish you. 13 Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.(BK) 14 And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle(BL) and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak,(BM) be patient with everyone. 15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong,(BN) but always strive to do what is good for each other(BO) and for everyone else.

16 Rejoice always,(BP) 17 pray continually,(BQ) 18 give thanks in all circumstances;(BR) for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

19 Do not quench the Spirit.(BS) 20 Do not treat prophecies(BT) with contempt 21 but test them all;(BU) hold on to what is good,(BV) 22 reject every kind of evil.

23 May God himself, the God of peace,(BW) sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul(BX) and body be kept blameless(BY) at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.(BZ) 24 The one who calls(CA) you is faithful,(CB) and he will do it.(CC)

25 Brothers and sisters, pray for us.(CD) 26 Greet all God’s people with a holy kiss.(CE) 27 I charge you before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers and sisters.(CF)

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

Footnotes

  1. 1 Thessalonians 4:4 Or learn to live with your own wife; or learn to acquire a wife
  2. 1 Thessalonians 4:6 The Greek word for brother or sister (adelphos) refers here to a believer, whether man or woman, as part of God’s family.
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1 Thessalonians 3
2 Thessalonians 1
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2 Thessalonians 1-3
New King James Version

Greeting

1 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy,

To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

2 (A)Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

God’s Final Judgment and Glory

3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other, 4 so that (B)we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God (C)for your patience and faith (D)in all your persecutions and [a]tribulations that you endure, 5 which is (E)manifest[b] evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, (F)for which you also suffer; 6 (G)since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with [c]tribulation those who trouble you, 7 and to give you who are troubled (H)rest with us when (I)the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, 8 in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 (J)These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and (K)from the glory of His power, 10 when He comes, in that Day, (L)to be (M)glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who [d]believe, because our testimony among you was believed.

11 Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would (N)count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and (O)the work of faith with power, 12 (P)that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Great Apostasy

2 Now, brethren, (Q)concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (R)and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, 2 (S)not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of [e]Christ had come. 3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come (T)unless the falling away comes first, and (U)the man of [f]sin is revealed, (V)the son of perdition, 4 who opposes and (W)exalts himself (X)above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits [g]as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.

5 Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? 6 And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time. 7 For (Y)the [h]mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only [i]He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way. 8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, (Z)whom the Lord will consume (AA)with the breath of His mouth and destroy (AB)with the brightness of His coming. 9 The coming of the lawless one is (AC)according to the working of Satan, with all power, (AD)signs, and lying wonders, 10 and with all unrighteous deception among (AE)those who perish, because they did not receive (AF)the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And (AG)for this reason God will send them strong delusion, (AH)that they should believe the lie, 12 that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but (AI)had pleasure in unrighteousness.

Stand Fast

13 But we are [j]bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God (AJ)from the beginning (AK)chose you for salvation (AL)through [k]sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth, 14 to which He called you by our gospel, for (AM)the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15 Therefore, brethren, (AN)stand fast and hold (AO)the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our [l]epistle.

16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, (AP)who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and (AQ)good hope by grace, 17 comfort your hearts (AR)and [m]establish you in every good word and work.

Pray for Us

3 Finally, brethren, (AS)pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you, 2 and (AT)that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; (AU)for not all have faith.

3 But (AV)the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and (AW)guard you from the evil one. 4 And (AX)we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, both that you do and will do the things we command you.

5 Now may (AY)the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ.

Warning Against Idleness

6 But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, (AZ)that you withdraw (BA)from every brother who walks (BB)disorderly and not according to the tradition which [n]he received from us. 7 For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us, for we were not disorderly among you; 8 nor did we eat anyone’s bread [o]free of charge, but worked with (BC)labor and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, 9 not because we do not have (BD)authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us.

10 For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. 11 For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are (BE)busybodies. 12 Now those who are such we command and [p]exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ (BF)that they work in quietness and eat their own bread.

13 But as for you, brethren, (BG)do not grow weary in doing good. 14 And if anyone does not obey our word in this [q]epistle, note that person and (BH)do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed. 15 (BI)Yet do not count him as an enemy, (BJ)but [r]admonish him as a brother.

Benediction

16 Now may (BK)the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with you all.

17 (BL)The salutation of Paul with my own hand, which is a sign in every [s]epistle; so I write.

18 (BM)The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

Footnotes

  1. 2 Thessalonians 1:4 afflictions
  2. 2 Thessalonians 1:5 plain
  3. 2 Thessalonians 1:6 affliction
  4. 2 Thessalonians 1:10 NU, M have believed
  5. 2 Thessalonians 2:2 NU the Lord
  6. 2 Thessalonians 2:3 NU lawlessness
  7. 2 Thessalonians 2:4 NU omits as God
  8. 2 Thessalonians 2:7 hidden truth
  9. 2 Thessalonians 2:7 Or he
  10. 2 Thessalonians 2:13 under obligation
  11. 2 Thessalonians 2:13 being set apart by
  12. 2 Thessalonians 2:15 letter
  13. 2 Thessalonians 2:17 strengthen
  14. 2 Thessalonians 3:6 NU, M they
  15. 2 Thessalonians 3:8 Lit. for nothing
  16. 2 Thessalonians 3:12 encourage
  17. 2 Thessalonians 3:14 letter
  18. 2 Thessalonians 3:15 warn
  19. 2 Thessalonians 3:17 letter
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2 Thessalonians 1-3
New International Version

1 Paul, Silas[a](A) and Timothy,(B)

To the church of the Thessalonians(C) in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

2 Grace and peace to you from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.(D)

Thanksgiving and Prayer

3 We ought always to thank God for you,(E) brothers and sisters,[b] and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing.(F) 4 Therefore, among God’s churches we boast(G) about your perseverance and faith(H) in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring.(I)

5 All this is evidence(J) that God’s judgment is right, and as a result you will be counted worthy(K) of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering. 6 God is just:(L) He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you(M) 7 and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven(N) in blazing fire(O) with his powerful angels.(P) 8 He will punish(Q) those who do not know God(R) and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.(S) 9 They will be punished with everlasting destruction(T) and shut out from the presence of the Lord(U) and from the glory of his might(V) 10 on the day(W) he comes to be glorified(X) in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed. This includes you, because you believed our testimony to you.(Y)

11 With this in mind, we constantly pray for you,(Z) that our God may make you worthy(AA) of his calling,(AB) and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness(AC) and your every deed prompted by faith.(AD) 12 We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you,(AE) and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.[c]

The Man of Lawlessness

2 Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ(AF) and our being gathered to him,(AG) we ask you, brothers and sisters, 2 not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by the teaching allegedly from us—whether by a prophecy or by word of mouth or by letter(AH)—asserting that the day of the Lord(AI) has already come.(AJ) 3 Don’t let anyone deceive you(AK) in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion(AL) occurs and the man of lawlessness[d] is revealed,(AM) the man doomed to destruction. 4 He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God(AN) or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God.(AO)

5 Don’t you remember that when I was with you I used to tell you these things?(AP) 6 And now you know what is holding him back,(AQ) so that he may be revealed at the proper time. 7 For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back(AR) will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way. 8 And then the lawless one will be revealed,(AS) whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth(AT) and destroy by the splendor of his coming.(AU) 9 The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how Satan(AV) works. He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders(AW) that serve the lie, 10 and all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing.(AX) They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.(AY) 11 For this reason God sends them(AZ) a powerful delusion(BA) so that they will believe the lie(BB) 12 and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.(BC)

Stand Firm

13 But we ought always to thank God for you,(BD) brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as firstfruits[e](BE) to be saved(BF) through the sanctifying work of the Spirit(BG) and through belief in the truth. 14 He called you(BH) to this through our gospel,(BI) that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

15 So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm(BJ) and hold fast to the teachings[f] we passed on to you,(BK) whether by word of mouth or by letter.

16 May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father,(BL) who loved us(BM) and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, 17 encourage(BN) your hearts and strengthen(BO) you in every good deed and word.

Request for Prayer

3 As for other matters, brothers and sisters,(BP) pray for us(BQ) that the message of the Lord(BR) may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you.(BS) 2 And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil people,(BT) for not everyone has faith. 3 But the Lord is faithful,(BU) and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.(BV) 4 We have confidence(BW) in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we command. 5 May the Lord direct your hearts(BX) into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.

Warning Against Idleness

6 In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ,(BY) we command you, brothers and sisters, to keep away from(BZ) every believer who is idle and disruptive(CA) and does not live according to the teaching[g] you received from us.(CB) 7 For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example.(CC) We were not idle when we were with you, 8 nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked(CD) night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. 9 We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help,(CE) but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you to imitate.(CF) 10 For even when we were with you,(CG) we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work(CH) shall not eat.”

11 We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are busybodies.(CI) 12 Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ(CJ) to settle down and earn the food they eat.(CK) 13 And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good.(CL)

14 Take special note of anyone who does not obey our instruction in this letter. Do not associate with them,(CM) in order that they may feel ashamed.(CN) 15 Yet do not regard them as an enemy, but warn them as you would a fellow believer.(CO)

Final Greetings

16 Now may the Lord of peace(CP) himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.(CQ)

17 I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand,(CR) which is the distinguishing mark in all my letters. This is how I write.

18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.(CS)

Footnotes

  1. 2 Thessalonians 1:1 Greek Silvanus, a variant of Silas
  2. 2 Thessalonians 1:3 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family; also in 2:1, 13, 15; 3:1, 6, 13.
  3. 2 Thessalonians 1:12 Or God and Lord, Jesus Christ
  4. 2 Thessalonians 2:3 Some manuscripts sin
  5. 2 Thessalonians 2:13 Some manuscripts because from the beginning God chose you
  6. 2 Thessalonians 2:15 Or traditions
  7. 2 Thessalonians 3:6 Or tradition
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1 Thessalonians 5
1 Timothy 1
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