Paul’s Ministry in Thessalonica

2 You know, brothers and sisters, that our visit to youd was not without results.e 2 We had previously sufferedf and been treated outrageously in Philippi,g as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in the face of strong opposition.h 3 For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives,i nor are we trying to trick you.j 4 On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel.k We are not trying to please peoplel but God, who tests our hearts.m 5 You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greedn—God is our witness.o 6 We were not looking for praise from people,p not from you or anyone else, even though as apostlesq of Christ we could have asserted our authority.r 7 Instead, we were like young childrena among you.

Just as a nursing mother cares for her children,s 8 so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of Godt but our lives as well.u 9 Surely you remember, brothers and sisters, our toil and hardship; we workedv night and day in order not to be a burden to anyonew while we preached the gospel of God to you. 10 You are witnesses,x and so is God,y of how holy,z righteous and blameless we were among you who believed. 11 For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children,a 12 encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthyb of God, who callsc you into his kingdom and glory.

13 And we also thank God continuallyd because, when you received the word of God,e 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. 14 For you, brothers and sisters, became imitatorsf of God’s churches in Judea,g which are in Christ Jesus: You suffered from your own peopleh the same things those churches suffered from the Jews 15 who killed the Lord Jesusi and the prophetsj and also drove us out. They displease God and are hostile to everyone 16 in their effort to keep us from speaking to the Gentilesk so that they may be saved. In this way they always heap up their sins to the limit.l The wrath of God has come upon them at last.b

Paul’s Longing to See the Thessalonians

17 But, brothers and sisters, when we were orphaned by being separated from you for a short time (in person, not in thought),m out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you.n 18 For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, did, again and again—but Satano blocked our way.p 19 For what is our hope, our joy, or the crownq in which we will gloryr in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes?s Is it not you? 20 Indeed, you are our gloryt and joy.

3 So when we could stand it no longer,u we thought it best to be left by ourselves in Athens.v 2 We sent Timothy,w who is our brother and co-workerx in God’s service in spreading the gospel of Christ,y to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, 3 so that no one would be unsettled by these trials.z For you know quite well that we are destined for them.a 4 In 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.b 5 For this reason, when I could stand it no longer,c I sent to find out about your faith.d I was afraid that in some way the temptere had tempted you and that our labors might have been in vain.f

Timothy’s Encouraging Report

6 But Timothyg has just now come to us from youh and has brought good news about your faith and love.i 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.j 7 Therefore, brothers and sisters, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith. 8 For now we really live, since you are standing firmk in the Lord. 9 How can we thank God enough for youl in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you?m 10 Night and day we prayn most earnestly that we may see you againo and supply what is lacking in your faith.

11 Now may our God and Fatherp himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you. 12 May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each otherq and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. 13 May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blamelessr and holy in the presence of our God and Fathers when our Lord Jesus comest with all his holy ones.u