Thessalonicenses I 1

1 Paulus, et Silvanus, et Timotheus Ecclesiæ Thessalonicensium in Deo Patre, et Domino Iesu Christo.

To the Thessalonian church in union with God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, from Paul, Silas, and Timothy. May God bless you and give you peace.

2 Gratia vobis, et pax. Gratias agimus Deo semper pro omnibus vobis, memoriam vestri facientes in orationibus nostris sine intermissione,

We always mention you in our prayers and thank God for you all;

3 memores operis fidei vestræ, et laboris, et charitatis, et sustinentiæ spei Domini nostri Iesu Christi, ante Deum et Patrem nostrum:

recalling continually before our God and Father the efforts that have resulted from your faith, the toil prompted by your love, and the patient endurance sustained by your hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

4 scientes fratres, dilecti a Deo, electionem vestram:

Friends, whom God loves, we know that he has chosen you,

5 quia Evangelium nostrum non fuit ad vos in sermone tantum, sed et in virtute, et in Spiritu Sancto, et in plenitudine multa, sicut scitis quales fuerimus in vobis propter vos.

because the good news that we brought came home to you, not merely as so many words, but with a power and a fulness of conviction due to the Holy Spirit. For you know the life that we lived among you for your good.

6 Et vos imitatores nostri facti estis, et Domini, excipientes Verbum in tribulatione multa, cum gaudio Spiritus Sancti:

And you yourselves began to follow, not only our example, but the Master’s also; and, in spite of much suffering, you welcomed the message with a joy inspired by the Holy Spirit,

7 ita ut facti sitis forma omnibus credentibus in Macedonia, et in Achaia.

and so became a pattern to all who believed in Christ throughout Macedonia and Greece.

8 A vobis enim diffamatus est sermo Domini, non solum in Macedonia, et in Achaia, sed et in omni loco fides vestra, quæ est ad Deum, profecta est, ita ut non sit nobis necesse quidquam loqui.

For it was from you that the Lord’s message resounded throughout Macedonia and Greece; and, more than that, your faith in God has become known far and wide; so that there is no need for us to say another word.

9 Ipsi enim de nobis annunciant qualem introitum habuerimus ad vos: et quomodo conversi estis ad Deum a simulacris, servire Deo vivo, et vero,

Indeed, in speaking about us, the people themselves tell of the reception you gave us, and how, turning to God from your idols, you became servants of the true and living God,

10 et expectare Filium eius de cælis (quem suscitavit a mortuis) Iesum, qui eripuit nos ab ira ventura.

and are now awaiting the return from heaven of his Son whom he raised from the dead – Jesus, our deliverer from the coming wrath.