Paul's Approach To Ministry In Thessalonica

1 For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain:

1 For you yourselves know, brethren, that our (a)(A)coming to you (B)was not in vain,

1 For you yourselves know, brothers, that our visit(A) with you was not without result.

1 For you yourselves know, brothers, that our visit to you was not a waste of time.

1 For you know, brothers and sisters, that our coming to you has not been ineffective (fruitless, 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.

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.

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.

2 As you know, we suffered persecution and were mistreated in Philippi. Yet we were encouraged by our God to tell you his gospel in spite of strong opposition.

2 but after we had already suffered and been outrageously treated in Philippi, as you know, yet in [the strength of] our God we summoned the courage to proclaim boldly to you the good news of God [regarding salvation] amid great opposition.

3 For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile:

3 For our (H)exhortation does not come from (I)error or (J)impurity or (c)by way of (K)deceit;

3 For our exhortation didn’t come from error or impurity(D) or an intent to deceive.(E)

3 For our appeal to you does not spring from deceit, impure motives, or trickery.

3 For our appeal does not come from delusion or impure motives, nor [is it motivated] by deceit [our message is complete, accurate, and based on the truth—it does not change].

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.

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.

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)

4 Rather, because we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, we speak as we do, not trying to please people but God, who tests our motives.

4 But just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel [that tells the good news of salvation through faith in Christ], so we speak, not as [if we were trying] to please people [to gain power and popularity], but to please God who examines our hearts [expecting our best].

5 For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness:

5 For we never came (e)with flattering speech, as you know, nor with (P)a pretext for greed—(Q)God is witness—

5 For we never used flattering speech, as you know, or had greedy(J) motives(K)—God is our witness(L)

5 As you know, we did not come with flattering words or with a scheme to make money. God is our witness!

5 For as you well know, we never came with words of flattery nor with a pretext for greed—God is our 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.

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.

6 and we didn’t seek glory(M) from people, either from you or from others.

6 We did not seek praise from people from you or from anyone else

6 nor did we seek glory and honor from people, neither from you nor from anyone else, though as apostles of Christ we had the power to assert our authority.

7 But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children:

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.

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.

7 even though as apostles of the Messiah we might have made such demands. Instead, we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother tenderly caring for her own children.

7 But we behaved gently when we were among you, like a devoted mother tenderly caring for her own 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.

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.

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.

8 We cared so deeply for you that we were determined to share with you not only the gospel of God but our very lives. That is how dear you were to us.

8 Having such a deep affection for you, we (a)were delighted to share with you not only God’s good news but also our own lives, because you had become so very dear to 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.

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.

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.

9 Brothers, you remember our labor and toil. We worked night and day so that we would not become a burden to any of you while we proclaimed the gospel of God to you.

9 For you remember, (b)believers, our labor and hardship. We worked night and day [practicing our trade] in order not to be a [financial] burden to any of you while we proclaimed the gospel of God to you.

10 Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe:

10 You are witnesses, and so is (AB)God, (AC)how devoutly and uprightly and blamelessly we (n)behaved toward you (o)believers;

10 You are witnesses,(P) and so is God, of how devoutly, righteously,(Q) and blamelessly(R) we conducted ourselves with you believers.

10 You and God are witnesses of how pure, honest, and blameless our conduct was among you who believe.

10 You are witnesses, and so is God, how unworldly and just and blameless was our behavior toward you who believe [in our Lord Jesus Christ].

11 As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children,

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,

11 As you know, like a father with his own children,(S)

11 You know very well that we treated each of you the way a father treats his children.

11 For you know how we were exhorting and encouraging and imploring each one of you just as a father does [in dealing with] his own children, [guiding you]

12 That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.

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.

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)

12 We comforted and encouraged you, urging you to live in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.

12 to live lives [of honor, moral courage, and personal integrity] worthy of the God who [saves you and] calls you into His own kingdom and glory.

The Thessalonians' Response To Paul's Message

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.

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.

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.

13 Here is another reason why we constantly give thanks to God: When you received God's word, which you heard from us, you did not accept it as the word of humans but for what it really is the word of God, which is at work in you who believe.

13 And we also thank God continually for this, that when you received the word of God [concerning salvation] which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of [mere] men, but as it truly is, the word of God, which is effectually at work in you who believe [exercising its inherent, supernatural power in those of faith].

14 For 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:

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,

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

14 For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Judea that are in union with the Messiah Jesus. You suffered the same persecutions from the people of your own country as they did from those Jews

14 For you, (c)brothers and sisters, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea, because you too suffered the same [kind of] persecution from your own countrymen, as they did from 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:

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,

15 who killed both the Lord Jesus(AB) and the prophets and persecuted us;(AC) they displease God and are hostile to everyone,

15 who killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets, who have persecuted us, and who please neither God nor any group of people,

15 who (d)killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and harassed and drove us out; and [they] continue to be highly displeasing to God and [to show themselves] hostile to all people,

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.

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.

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)

16 as they try to keep us from telling the gentiles how they can be saved. As a result, they are constantly adding to the number of sins they have committed. However, wrath has overtaken them at last!

16 forbidding us from speaking to the Gentiles (non-Jews) so that they may be saved. So, as always, they fill up [to the brim] the measure of their sins [allotted to them by God]. But [God’s] wrath has come upon them at last [completely and forever].(A)

Paul's Desire To Revisit The Thessalonians

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.

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.

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.

17 Brothers, although we have been separated from you for a little while in person but not in heart we eagerly desire to see you again face to face.

17 But since we were taken away from you, believers, for a little while—in person, but not in heart—we endeavored, with great longing to see you face to face.

18 Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us.

18 (x)For (BA)we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, (y)(BB)more than once—and yet (BC)Satan (BD)hindered us.

18 So we wanted to come to you—even I, Paul, time and again—but Satan(AG) hindered us.

18 That is why we wanted to come to you. Certainly I, Paul, wanted to come time and again, but Satan blocked our way.

18 For we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, again and again [wanted to come], 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?

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?

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)

19 After all, who is our hope, joy, or reason for rejoicing in the presence of our Lord Jesus at his coming? It is you, isn't it?

19 For who is [the object of] our hope or joy or our victor’s wreath of triumphant celebration [when we stand] in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming? Is it not you?

20 For ye are our glory and joy.

20 For you are (BG)our glory and joy.

20 For you are our glory(AN) and joy!

20 Yes, you are our glory and joy!

20 For you are [indeed] our glory and our joy!

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