I
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
1Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
1Paul, Silas, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace and peace to you.
2We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers;
2We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers.
3Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;
3We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
4Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.
4For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you,
5For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.
5because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake.
6And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:
6You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.
7So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.
7And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia.
8For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing.
8The Lord's message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore we do not need to say anything about it,
9For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;
9for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God,
10And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.
10and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.
II
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
1For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain:
1You know, brothers and sisters, that our visit to you was not without results.
2But 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.
2We had previously suffered and been treated outrageously in Philippi, as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in the face of strong opposition.
3For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile:
3For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you.
4But 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.
4On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts.
5For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness:
5You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed—God is our witness.
6Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.
6We were not looking for praise from people, not from you or anyone else, even though as apostles of Christ we could have asserted our authority.
7But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children:
7Instead, we were like young children among you. Just as a nursing mother cares for her children,
8So 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.
8so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.
9For 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.
9Surely you remember, brothers and sisters, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you.
10Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe:
10You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous and blameless we were among you who believed.
11As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children,
11For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children,
12That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.
12encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.
13For 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.
13And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, 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.
14For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews:
14For you, brothers and sisters, became imitators of God's churches in Judea, which are in Christ Jesus: You suffered from your own people the same things those churches suffered from the Jews
15Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men:
15who killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets and also drove us out. They displease God and are hostile to everyone
16Forbidding 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.
16in their effort to keep us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved. In this way they always heap up their sins to the limit. The wrath of God has come upon them at last.
17But 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.
17But, brothers and sisters, when we were orphaned by being separated from you for a short time (in person, not in thought), out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you.
18Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us.
18For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, did, again and again—but Satan blocked our way.
19For 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?
19For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you?
20For ye are our glory and joy.
20Indeed, you are our glory and joy.
III
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
1Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone;
1So when we could stand it no longer, we thought it best to be left by ourselves in Athens.
2And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith:
2We sent Timothy, who is our brother and co-worker in God's service in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith,
3That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto.
3so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. For you know quite well that we are destined for them.
4For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know.
4In 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.
5For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain.
5For this reason, when I could stand it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith. I was afraid that in some way the tempter had tempted you and that our labors might have been in vain.
6But now when Timotheus came from you unto us, and brought us good tidings of your faith and charity, and that ye have good remembrance of us always, desiring greatly to see us, as we also to see you:
6But Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought good news about your faith and love. 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.
7Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith:
7Therefore, brothers and sisters, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith.
8For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.
8For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord.
9For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God;
9How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you?
10Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?
10Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith.
11Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you.
11Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you.
12And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you:
12May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.
13To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.
13May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.
IV
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
1Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.
1As for other matters, brothers and sisters, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more.
2For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus.
2For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus.
3For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:
3It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality;
4That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;
4that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable,
5Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God:
5not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God;
6That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.
6and that in this matter no one should wrong or take advantage of a brother or sister. The Lord will punish all those who commit such sins, as we told you and warned you before.
7For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.
7For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life.
8He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.
8Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit.
9But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.
9Now about your love for one another we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other.
10And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia: but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more;
10And in fact, you do love all of God's family throughout Macedonia. Yet we urge you, brothers and sisters, to do so more and more,
11And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;
11and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you,
12That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.
12so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.
13But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
13Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope.
14For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
14For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.
15For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
15According to the Lord's word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep.
16For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
16For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.
17Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
17After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.
18Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
18Therefore encourage one another with these words.
V
King James Version — 1611
In Plain English
1But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.
1Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you,
2For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
2for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.
3For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
3While people are saying, "Peace and safety," destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
4But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
4But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief.
5Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
5You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness.
6Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
6So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober.
7For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.
7For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night.
8But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
8But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.
9For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
9For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.
10Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.
10He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him.
11Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
11Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
12And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;
12Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you.
13And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves.
13Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.
14Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.
14And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone.
15See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.
15Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.
16Rejoice evermore.
16Rejoice always,
17Pray without ceasing.
17pray continually,
18In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
18give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
19Quench not the Spirit.
19Do not quench the Spirit.
20Despise not prophesyings.
20Do not treat prophecies with contempt
21Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
21but test them all; hold on to what is good,
22Abstain from all appearance of evil.
22reject every kind of evil.
23And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
23May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
24Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.
24The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.
25Brethren, pray for us.
25Brothers and sisters, pray for us.
26Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss.
26Greet all God's people with a holy kiss.
27I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren.
27I charge you before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers and sisters.
28The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
28The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.