1 Thessalonians 1

1 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, to the assembly of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

This letter comes from Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy to the church of the Thessalonians who belong to God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. May you have grace and peace!

2 We always give thanks to God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers,

We are always thanking God for all of you, never forgetting you in our prayers.

3 remembering without ceasing your work of faith and labor of love and perseverance of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, before our God and Father.

We remember you before our God and Father—how you put your trust in him into practice, how you work hard in love, and how you patiently wait in the hope of our Lord Jesus Christ.

4 We know, brothers loved by God, that you are chosen,

Brothers and sisters, we already know that you are loved by God and are very special to him.

5 and that our Good News came to you not in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and with much assurance. You know what kind of men we showed ourselves to be among you for your sake.

The good news we brought to you wasn't just words, but had power too, for the Holy Spirit completely convinced you. In the same way you know what kind of men we are since we demonstrated to you that we were working for your benefit.

6 You became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit,

You were imitating us and the Lord when you received the message, for despite your troubles you experienced the joy the Holy Spirit gives.

7 so that you became an example to all who believe in Macedonia and in Achaia.

So you have become an example to all the believers in Macedonia and Greece!

8 For from you the word of the Lord has been declared, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith toward God has gone out, so that we need not to say anything.

You have broadcast the Lord's message, not only in Macedonia and Greece, but everywhere people have heard of your trust in God—so there's no need for us to tell anybody about it!

9 For they themselves report concerning us what kind of a reception we had from you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God,

In fact they talk about what a marvelous welcome you gave us, how you abandoned idols and turned to God, how you serve the true and living God,

10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead: Jesus, who delivers us from the wrath to come.

as you look forward to the coming of his Son from heaven—Jesus, the one God raised from the dead, who will save us from the judgment to come.