Thessalonicenses I 2
1 Nam et ipsi scitis, fratres, introitum nostrum ad vos, quia non inanis fuit:
You yourselves know, brothers, that our visit to you was not in vain.
2 sed ante passi multa, et contumeliis affecti (sicut scitis) in Philippis, fiduciam habuimus in Deo nostro loqui ad vos Evangelium Dei in multa solicitudine.
As you are aware, we had already endured suffering and shameful treatment in Philippi. But in the face of strong opposition, we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God.
3 Exhortatio enim nostra non de errore, neque de immunditia, neque in dolo,
For our appeal does not arise from deceit or ulterior motives or trickery.
4 sed sicut probati sumus a Deo ut crederetur nobis Evangelium: ita loquimur non quasi hominibus placentes, sed Deo, qui probat corda nostra.
Instead, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, not in order to please men but God, who examines our hearts.
5 Neque enim aliquando fuimus in sermone adulationis, sicut scitis: neque in occasione avaritiae: Deus testis est:
As you know, we never used words of flattery or any pretext for greed. God is our witness!
6 nec quaerentes ab hominibus gloriam, neque a vobis, neque ab aliis.
Nor did we seek praise from you or from anyone else, although as apostles of Christ we had authority to demand it.
7 Cum possemus vobis oneri esse ut Christi Apostoli: sed facti sumus parvuli in medio vestrum, tamquam si nutrix foveat filios suos.
On the contrary, we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother caring for her children.
8 Ita desiderantes vos, cupide volebamus tradere vobis non solum Evangelium Dei, sed etiam animas nostras: quoniam charissimi nobis facti estis.
We cared so deeply that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God, but our own lives as well. That is how beloved you have become to us.
9 Memores enim estis fratres laboris nostri, et fatigationis: nocte ac die operantes, ne quem vestrum gravaremus, praedicavimus in vobis Evangelium Dei.
Surely you recall, brothers, our labor and toil. We worked night and day so that we would not be a burden to anyone while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God.
10 Vos testes estis, et Deus, quam sancte, et iuste, et sine querela, vobis, qui credidistis, affuimus:
You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous, and blameless our conduct was among you who believed.
11 sicut scitis, qualiter unumquemque vestrum (sicut pater filios suos)
For you know that we treated each of you as a father treats his own children—
12 deprecantes vos, et consolantes, testificati sumus, ut ambularetis digne Deo, qui vocavit vos in suum regnum, et gloriam.
encouraging you, comforting you, and urging you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.
13 Ideo et nos gratias agimus Deo sine intermissione: quoniam cum accepissetis a nobis verbum auditus Dei, accepistis illud, non ut verbum hominum, sed (sicut est vere) verbum Dei, qui operatur in vobis, qui credidistis.
And we continually thank God because, when you received the word of God that you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as the true word of God—the word which is now at work in you who believe.
14 vos enim imitatores facti estis fratres Ecclesiarum Dei, quae sunt in Iudaea in Christo Iesu: quia eadem passi estis et vos a contribulibus vestris, sicut et ipsi a Iudaeis:
For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Judea that are in Christ Jesus. You suffered from your own countrymen the very things they suffered from the Jews,
15 qui et Dominum occiderunt Iesum, et Prophetas, et nos persecuti sunt, et Deo non placent, et omnibus hominibus adversantur,
who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and drove us out as well. They are displeasing to God and hostile to all men,
16 prohibentes nos Gentibus loqui ut salvae fiant, ut impleant peccata sua semper: pervenit enim ira Dei super illos usque in finem.
hindering us from telling the Gentiles how they may be saved. As a result, they continue to heap up their sins to full capacity; the utmost wrath has come upon them.
17 Nos autem fratres desolati a vobis ad tempus horae, aspectu, non corde, abundantius festinavimus faciem vestram videre cum multo desiderio:
Brothers, although we were torn away from you for a short time (in person, not in heart), our desire to see you face to face was even more intense.
18 quoniam voluimus venire ad vos: ego quidem Paulus, et semel, et iterum, sed impedivit nos satanas.
For we wanted to come to you—indeed I, Paul, tried again and again—but Satan obstructed us.
19 Quae est enim nostra spes, aut gaudium, aut corona gloriae? Nonne vos ante Dominum nostrum Iesum Christum estis in adventu eius?
After all, who is our hope, our joy, our crown of boasting, if it is not you yourselves in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming?
20 vos enim estis gloria nostra et gaudium.
You are indeed our glory and our joy.
