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1 Thessalonians 2
New King James Version

Paul’s Conduct(A)

2 For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain. 2 But [a]even after we had suffered before and were spitefully treated at (B)Philippi, as you know, we were (C)bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God in much conflict. 3 (D)For our exhortation did not come from error or uncleanness, nor was it in deceit.

4 But as (E)we have been approved by God (F)to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, (G)not as pleasing men, but God (H)who tests our hearts. 5 For (I)neither at any time did we use flattering words, as you know, nor a [b]cloak for covetousness—(J)God is witness. 6 (K)Nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, when (L)we might have (M)made demands (N)as apostles of Christ. 7 But (O)we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children. 8 So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased (P)to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also (Q)our own lives, because you had become dear to us. 9 For you remember, brethren, our (R)labor and toil; for laboring night and day, (S)that we might not be a burden to any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God.

10 (T)You are witnesses, and God also, (U)how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe; 11 as you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and [c]charged every one of you, as a father does his own children, 12 (V)that you would walk worthy of God (W)who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.

Their Conversion

13 For this reason we also thank God (X)without ceasing, because when you (Y)received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it (Z)not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively (AA)works in you who believe. 14 For you, brethren, became imitators (AB)of the churches of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus. For (AC)you also suffered the same things from your own countrymen, just as they did from the Judeans, 15 (AD)who killed both the Lord Jesus and (AE)their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they do not please God (AF)and are [d]contrary to all men, 16 (AG)forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they may be saved, so as always (AH)to fill up the measure of their sins; (AI)but wrath has come upon them to the uttermost.

Longing to See Them

17 But we, brethren, having been taken away from you for a short time (AJ)in presence, not in heart, endeavored more eagerly to see your face with great desire. 18 Therefore we wanted to come to you—even I, Paul, time and again—but (AK)Satan hindered us. 19 For (AL)what is our hope, or joy, or (AM)crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the (AN)presence of our Lord Jesus Christ (AO)at His coming? 20 For you are our glory and joy.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Thessalonians 2:2 NU, M omit even
  2. 1 Thessalonians 2:5 pretext for greed
  3. 1 Thessalonians 2:11 NU, M implored
  4. 1 Thessalonians 2:15 hostile
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1 Thessalonians 2
Authorized (King James) Version

2 For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain: 2 but even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention. 3 For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile: 4 but as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts. 5 For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness: 6 nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ. 7 But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children: 8 so being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us. 9 For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God. 10 Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe: 11 as ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children, 12 that ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.

13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe. 14 For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judæa are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews: 15 who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men: 16 forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.

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

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1 Thessalonians 2
Holman Christian Standard Bible

Paul’s Conduct

2 For you yourselves know, brothers, that our visit(A) with you was not without result. 2 On the contrary, after we had previously suffered,(B) and we were treated outrageously in Philippi,(C) as you know, we were emboldened by our God to speak the gospel of God to you in spite of great opposition. 3 For our exhortation didn’t come from error or impurity(D) or an intent to deceive.(E) 4 Instead, just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted(F) with the gospel,(G) so we speak, not to please men, but rather God,(H) who examines our hearts.(I) 5 For we never used flattering speech, as you know, or had greedy(J) motives(K)—God is our witness(L)— 6 and we didn’t seek glory(M) from people, either from you or from others. 7 Although we could have been a burden as Christ’s apostles,(N) instead we were gentle[a] among you, as a nursing mother nurtures her own children. 8 We cared so much for you that we were pleased to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us. 9 For you remember our labor and hardship, brothers. Working(O) night and day so that we would not burden any of you, we preached God’s gospel to you. 10 You are witnesses,(P) and so is God, of how devoutly, righteously,(Q) and blamelessly(R) we conducted ourselves with you believers. 11 As you know, like a father with his own children,(S) 12 we encouraged, comforted, and implored each one of you to walk worthy of God,(T) who calls you into His own kingdom(U) and glory.(V)

Reception and Opposition to the Message

13 This is why we constantly thank God, because when you received the message about God that you heard from us, you welcomed it not as a human message, but as it truly is,(W) the message of God,(X) which also works effectively in you believers. 14 For you, brothers, became imitators of God’s churches in Christ Jesus that are in Judea,(Y) since you have also suffered(Z) the same things from people of your own country,(AA) just as they did from the Jews 15 who killed both the Lord Jesus(AB) and the prophets and persecuted us;(AC) they displease God and are hostile to everyone, 16 hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved. As a result, they are always completing the number of their sins,(AD) and wrath has overtaken them at last.[b]

Paul’s Desire to See Them

17 But as for us, brothers, after we were forced to leave you for a short time (in person, not in heart(AE)), we greatly desired and made every effort to return(AF) and see you face to face. 18 So we wanted to come to you—even I, Paul, time and again—but Satan(AG) hindered us. 19 For who is our hope or joy(AH) or crown(AI) of boasting(AJ) in the presence of our Lord(AK) Jesus at His coming?(AL) Is it not you?(AM) 20 For you are our glory(AN) and joy!

Footnotes

  1. 1 Thessalonians 2:7 Other mss read infants
  2. 1 Thessalonians 2:16 Or to the end
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1 Thessalonians 2
New American Standard Bible 1995

Paul’s Ministry

2 For you yourselves know, brethren, that our [a](A)coming to you (B)was not in vain, 2 but after we had already suffered and been (C)mistreated in (D)Philippi, as you know, we had the boldness in our God (E)to speak to you the (F)gospel of God amid much [b](G)opposition. 3 For our (H)exhortation does not come from (I)error or (J)impurity or [c]by way of (K)deceit; 4 (L)but just as we have been approved by God to be (M)entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, (N)not as pleasing men, but God who [d](O)examines our hearts. 5 For we never came [e]with flattering speech, as you know, nor with (P)a pretext for greed—(Q)God is witness— 6 nor did we (R)seek glory from men, either from you or from others, even though as (S)apostles of Christ [f]we might have [g]asserted our authority. 7 But we [h]proved to be [i](T)gentle [j]among you, (U)as a nursing mother [k]tenderly cares for her own children. 8 Having so fond an affection for you, we were well-pleased to (V)impart to you not only the (W)gospel of God but also our own [l]lives, because you had become [m]very dear to us.

9 For you recall, brethren, our (X)labor and hardship, how (Y)working night and day so as not to be a (Z)burden to any of you, we proclaimed to you the (AA)gospel of God. 10 You are witnesses, and so is (AB)God, (AC)how devoutly and uprightly and blamelessly we [n]behaved toward you [o]believers; 11 just as you know how we were (AD)exhorting and encouraging and [p](AE)imploring each one of you as (AF)a father would his own children, 12 so that you would (AG)walk in a manner worthy of the God who (AH)calls you into His own kingdom and (AI)glory.

13 For this reason we also constantly (AJ)thank God that when you received the (AK)word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it (AL)not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, (AM)which also performs its work in you who believe. 14 For you, brethren, became (AN)imitators of (AO)the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are (AP)in Judea, for (AQ)you also endured the same sufferings at the hands of your own countrymen, (AR)even as they did from the Jews, 15 (AS)who both killed the Lord Jesus and (AT)the prophets, and [q]drove us out. [r]They are not pleasing to God, [s]but hostile to all men, 16 (AU)hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles (AV)so that they may be saved; with the result that they always (AW)fill up the measure of their sins. But (AX)wrath has come upon them [t]to the utmost.

17 But we, brethren, having been taken away from you for a [u]short while—(AY)in [v]person, not in [w]spirit—were all the more eager with great desire (AZ)to see your face. 18 [x]For (BA)we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, [y](BB)more than once—and yet (BC)Satan (BD)hindered us. 19 For who is our hope or (BE)joy or crown of exultation? Is it not even you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His [z](BF)coming? 20 For you are (BG)our glory and joy.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Thessalonians 2:1 Lit entrance
  2. 1 Thessalonians 2:2 Or struggle, conflict
  3. 1 Thessalonians 2:3 Lit in deceit
  4. 1 Thessalonians 2:4 Or approves
  5. 1 Thessalonians 2:5 Lit in a word of flattery
  6. 1 Thessalonians 2:6 Lit being able to
  7. 1 Thessalonians 2:6 Or be burdensome
  8. 1 Thessalonians 2:7 Or became gentle
  9. 1 Thessalonians 2:7 Three early mss read babes
  10. 1 Thessalonians 2:7 Lit in the midst of you
  11. 1 Thessalonians 2:7 Or cherishes
  12. 1 Thessalonians 2:8 Or souls
  13. 1 Thessalonians 2:8 Lit beloved
  14. 1 Thessalonians 2:10 Lit became
  15. 1 Thessalonians 2:10 Or who believe
  16. 1 Thessalonians 2:11 Or testifying to
  17. 1 Thessalonians 2:15 Or persecuted us
  18. 1 Thessalonians 2:15 Lit and
  19. 1 Thessalonians 2:15 Lit and
  20. 1 Thessalonians 2:16 Or forever or altogether; lit to the end
  21. 1 Thessalonians 2:17 Lit occasion of an hour
  22. 1 Thessalonians 2:17 Lit face
  23. 1 Thessalonians 2:17 Lit heart
  24. 1 Thessalonians 2:18 Or Because
  25. 1 Thessalonians 2:18 Lit both once and twice
  26. 1 Thessalonians 2:19 Or presence
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1 Thessalonians 1
1 Thessalonians 3
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New King James Version (NKJV)

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.

New American Standard Bible 1995 (NASB1995)

New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.

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