The first letter to the Thessalonians.

1.1-5: The makings of a solid church. 15 Aug 2014 1.1Paul and Silas and Timothy, to the Thessalonian church, in Father God and Master Christ Jesus: Greetings. Shalom.

2We praise God for all of you, always. We can’t forget your prayers. 3We remember, before God our Father, your faith-works, your love-labors, your enduring hope in our master, Christ Jesus. 4We’ve known you’re brother Christians, whom God loves; you’ve been selected 5because our gospel didn’t come to you in only words, but in power, in the Holy Spirit, and in absolute certainty—just like we demonstrated to you, when you saw us among you.

1.6-10: The Thessalonians’ reputation. 22 Aug 2014 6You became imitators of both us and the Master, accepting the message in great persecution, yet joy of the Holy Spirit. 7Hence you became an example to all the believers in Macedon and Achaia: 8The Master’s message has echoed out from you, not only into Macedon and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone out everywhere. Hence we’ve no need to speak of it, 9for they give us the news about what sort of reception we had from you, and how you turned to God—from idols you slaved for, to a living, genuine God—10and expect his Son, whom he raised from the dead, appearing in the skies, Jesus, our rescuer from the coming fury.

2.1-4: The humble state of the apostles. 29 Aug 2014 2.1Christians, you yourselves know our coming to you wasn’t for nothing. 2But as you know, we were suffering and assaulted in Philippi. We preached boldly of our God, speaking God’s gospel to you in the great arena. 3For our convenience—not because we were nuts, nor were unclean, nor meant to bait you, 4but like those who’d been tested by God, who trust the gospel. That’s how we spoke: Not like people-pleasers, but people with God-approved hearts.

2.5-8: Not flattery, but love. 5 Sep 2014 5As you all know, we never once came with a flattering message. Nor, God knows, a greedy motive. 6Nor looking for esteem from people—neither you nor anyone else. 7As Christ’s apostles, we could be a burden. But we became children among you—like when a nurse cuddles her own babies—so we’d want you. 8We were happy to share not only God’s gospel with you, but our souls as well, because we fell in love with you. 2.9-12: How to treat a church. 12 Sep 2014 9Christians, you remember our trouble and toil, working night and day so we wouldn’t financially burden you. We proclaimed God’s gospel to you all. 10You witnessed, with God, how sacredly, fairly, and non-judgmentally we behaved towards you believers, as you all know. 11Like every one of you, like a father to his own child, 12we were asking you, encouraging, and testifying, all so you’d rightly walk with God, who calls you into his own Kingdom and glory.

2.13-14: This isn’t a human endeavor. 19 Sep 2014 13We also unceasingly give thanks to God for this reason: Accepting the message you heard from us—from God; you didn’t receive a human message. For in reality it’s God’s message, and it generates belief among you. 2.14-16:Wrath awaits the antichrists. 26 Sep 2014 14For you Christians became imitators of God’s church, in Christ Jesus, which is in Judea: You suffered the same; you got it from your fellow citizens, just like they got it from the Judeans. 15They also killed Master Jesus and the prophets, and drove us away, and won’t make right with God; they oppose all humanity 16byforbidding us from speaking to gentiles so they could be saved. In so doing, they’ve sealed the deal: At the End, wrath awaits them.

2.17-20: Missing the Thessalonians. 10 Oct 2014 17We were separated from you for a bit of time, Christians; from your faces, not your hearts. 18We eagerly tried all the more to see your faces, with great desire because we wanted to come to you. (I, Paul, tried once or twice.) Satan blocked us. 19Who’s our hope, joy, crowning pride, if not you?—when we’re standing before our Master Jesus at his second coming? 20You’re our glory and joy.

3.1-5: Checking up on the Thessalonians. 17 Oct 2014 3.1So, unable to contain ourselves only in Athens, we were pleased to leave. 2We sent Timothy, our brother, God’s coworker in Christ’s gospel, to strengthen you, help your faith grow more, 3till nothing in the tribulation disturbs it. You already knew we’d be prepared for it: 4While we were with you, we foretold you, “We’re about to be crushed.” And just as we said, it happened. 5(This is why I, unable to contain myself, sent someone to find out about your faith, lest somehow the tempter tempted you, and all our trouble became worthless.)

3.6-10: The Thessalonians held firm. Rejoice! 24 Oct 2014 6Now Timothy, who returned to us from you, proclaimed the good news of your faith and love to us: You always remember our good works, and yearn to see us, just as we you. 7We’re comforted by this, Christians—by you, because of your faith, despite our every restraint and tribulation. 8Because now, when you stand firm in the Lord, we can live. 9What thanksgiving can we give God for you for all this joy? 10We rejoiced to our God because of you, night and day, way beyond prayer requests, to see your faces, to fix what’s lacking in your faith.

3.11-13: Ready for the second coming? 31 Oct 2014 11Our Father God himself, and our Master Jesus, hopefully kept our path straight for you. 12Hopefully the Master provided more than enough, and went over and above, for you—in love for one another and everyone, just like we have for you; 13in strengthening your blameless hearts with holiness before our Father God—namely at the second coming of our Master Jesus with all his saints. Amen.

4.1-7: Called to a holy lifestyle. 7 Nov 2014 4.1 From now on, Christians, we ask you—we encourage you by Master Jesus—whatever you got from us on how you have to walk and please God—however you walk—do abundantly more of it. 2You know; whatever commands we gave you through Master Jesus. 3This is God’s will: Your holiness. Your keeping away from porn. 4Each of you knowing how to possess your own things in holiness and honor—5not out of impulsive desires, like gentiles who don’t know God. 6None are to overstep nor take advantage of their fellow Christian in any way—because the Master avenges everything, just like we foretold to you, and testified regularly about. 4.7-8: Not rejecting people, but God. 13 Nov 2014 7God didn’t call us to uncleanness, but holiness. 8This is why the resistant aren’t resisting people, but God, who gave his Holy Spirit to you all.

4.9-12: Encouragement for the persecuted church. 16 Nov 2014 9There’s nothing we need write you about brotherly love, for the divine teachings you have are obvious in the way you love one another, 10for you do it with every fellow Christian, all over southern Greece. Christians, we encourage you to go above and beyond—11to pursue people’s respect, to stay out of trouble, to do your own thing, to work with your own hands, like we commanded you 12so you would walk honestly with outsiders, and no one would be in need.

4.13-14: Our dead won’t stay dead. 23 Nov 2014 13Christians, we don’t want you to know nothing about those who are “sleeping”: You ought not grieve like all the others who have no hope, 14for if we believe Jesus died and rose, likewise God, through Jesus, will bring our “sleepers” with him. 4.15-18: We’ll be resurrected when Jesus invades. 5 Jan 2015 15We tell you this message from the Master. We who are still alive at the Master’s second coming don’t go ahead of those who’ve died. 16With a commanding shout, with the head angel’s voice, with God’s trumpet, the Master himself will come down from heaven. The Christian dead will be resurrected first. 17Then, we who are left, who are still alive, will be raptured together with them into the clouds, to meet the Master in the air. Thus, we’ll be with the Master—always. 18So encourage one another with these words!

5.1-6: Don’t be surprised by, or afraid of, the End. 8 Jan 2015 5.1As for the timing, Christians: There’s no need to write you, 2for you’ve known precisely that the Lord’s Day comes like a mugger at night. 3Whenever people say, “Peace and safety!” then disaster suddenly comes upon them—like having contractions in the womb—and they may never get away. 4Don’t be in the dark, Christians, or the day may jump you like a mugger: 5.5-10: Stay on the lookout. 13 Jan 2015

5You’re all children of light, and children of the Day.

Don’t be night; don’t be dark;

6we shouldn’t sleep like the others.

We should be awake—and sober.

7Sleepers sleep at night.

Drunkards get drunk at night.

8We of the Day should be sober, wearing faith and love’s chest armor,

and the hope of salvation’s helmet:

9God didn’t assign us to wrath,

but the safekeeping of salvation in Master Christ Jesus.

10He died for us, so that,

awake or asleep, we ought to be with him together!

5.11-18: Building one another up. 25 Jan 2015 11So—like you already are—comfort and build one another up. 12Christians, we ask you to think about those among you who work hard, who stand up for you before the Master, who set you straight—13and because of the work they do, to outpace them in love. Keep peace with one another. 14Christians, we encourage you to set the irreligious straight:

Share your testimonies with newbies.

Hold onto the weak.

Be patient with everyone.

15Watch out lest anyone pay back evil for evil.

Instead, always pursue good for one another, and everyone.

16Always rejoice.

17Pray without slacking.

18Give thanks for everything.

For this is God’s will, in Christ Jesus, for you all. 5.19-28: Listen to the Spirit; farewell. 3 Feb 2015 19Don’t quiet the Spirit: 20Don’t dismiss prophecy, 21and put everything to the test; hold tight to what’s good, 22and stay far away from what seems bad. 23May God peacefully, fully, and blamelessly make all of you holy, sound in spirit, life, and body. May he watch over you till the coming of our Master, Christ Jesus. 24His call upon you, which he’ll do, is trustworthy.

25Christians, pray for us. 26Greet every Christian with a holy kiss. 27By the Master, promise us to read every letter to the Christians. 28The grace of our Master, Christ Jesus, to you all.