[This letter is from] Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, [and is being sent] to the church of the Thessalonians in [fellowship with] God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

They will pay the penalty of never ending destruction, being banished from the presence of the Lord and from His mighty splendor.

Now concerning the return of our Lord Jesus Christ, and our being gathered to Him, brothers,

But we ought to thank God for you always, brothers [who are] dearly loved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning [Note: Some manuscripts use the Greek word for "firstfruits" instead of "beginning" here, but it is difficult to know in what sense the Thessalonian Christians were "first"], in order to be saved through being set apart by the Holy Spirit and through belief of the truth [of the Gospel].

For we hear that some of you are living in idleness, refusing to work, but [instead] are just being busybodies.

This greeting [is being written] by me, Paul, in my own handwriting; it is the signature I write in every letter.