1 Thessalonians 2
Paul reminds the Thessalonians that he and his companions were bold to speak the gospel amid much opposition, never using flattery or seeking glory from men. He recalls how he was gentle among them as a nursing mother cherishes her children, and how the Thessalonians received the word not as the word of men but as the word of God, which effectually works in those who believe.
| v | King James Version | Modern English |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain: | For you yourselves, brethren, know that our coming to you was not 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. | Though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God in the face of strong opposition. |
| 3 | For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile: | For our appeal was not made out of deceit, or uncleanness, or trickery. |
| 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. | But just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak — not to please men, but God, Who tests our hearts. |
| 5 | For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness: | For we never used flattering words, as you know, nor any cover-up 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. | Nor did we seek glory from men — not from You, nor from anyone else — though as apostles of Christ we could have made demands of You. |
| 7 | But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children: | Instead, we were gentle among You, like a nursing mother 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. | Because we loved You so dearly, we were delighted to share with You not only the gospel of God, but our own lives as well, because You had become 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. | For You remember, brethren, our labor and toil. We worked night and day so that we would not be a burden to any of You while we preached 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: | You are witnesses, and God is also, how holy, just, and blameless our conduct was among You who believe — |
| 11 | As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children, | just as You know how, like a father with His own children, we exhorted, comforted, and charged every one of you, |
| 12 | That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory. | that You would walk worthy of God, Who has called You into His own kingdom and glory. |
| 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. | For this reason we also thank God without ceasing: when You received the word of God which You heard from us, You welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it truly is — the word of God, which is at work in You who believe. |
| 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: | For You, brethren, became followers of the churches of God in Judaea that are in Christ Jesus. You have suffered the same things from Your own countrymen that they have suffered 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: | the Jews who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and have driven us out. They do not please God, and they are hostile to all men, |
| 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. | forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles so that they might be saved. So they keep filling up the measure of their sins; but the wrath has come upon them at last. |
| 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. | But we, brethren, having been torn away from You for a short time — in presence, not in heart — were all the more eager and full of desire to see Your face again. |
| 18 | Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us. | Therefore we wanted to come to you — I, Paul, again and again — 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? | For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not You — in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? |
| 20 | For ye are our glory and joy. | For You are our glory and joy. |