Thessalonicenses I 2
1 Nam et ipsi scitis, fratres, introitum nostrum ad vos, quia non inanis fuit:
For 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.
On the contrary, even though we had previously suffered and been mistreated in Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the face of strong opposition.
3 Exhortatio enim nostra non de errore, neque de immunditia, neque in dolo,
For our exhortation does not come from error or impurity or with deceit,
4 sed sicut probati sumus a Deo ut crederetur nobis Evangelium: ita loquimur non quasi hominibus placentes, sed Deo, qui probat corda nostra.
but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God, who examines our hearts.
5 Neque enim aliquando fuimus in sermone adulationis, sicut scitis: neque in occasione avaritiae: Deus testis est:
God is our witness that we never came with words of flattery or with a pretext for greed, as you well know.
6 nec quaerentes ab hominibus gloriam, neque a vobis, neque ab aliis.
Nor did we seek glory from men (neither from you nor from others), though as Christ's apostles we could have asserted our authority.
7 Cum possemus vobis oneri esse ut Christi Apostoli: sed facti sumus parvuli in medio vestrum, tamquam si nutrix foveat filios suos.
Instead, 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 had such strong affection for you that we were pleased to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become dear to us.
9 Memores enim estis fratres laboris nostri, et fatigationis: nocte ac die operantes, ne quem vestrum gravaremus, praedicavimus in vobis Evangelium Dei.
For you remember, brothers, our labor and hardship. Working night and day so as not to be a burden on any of you, we preached 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 devoutly, righteously, and blamelessly we conducted ourselves among you who believe.
11 sicut scitis, qualiter unumquemque vestrum (sicut pater filios suos)
As you know, we dealt with each one of you like a father deals with his own children, exhorting you, encouraging you,
12 deprecantes vos, et consolantes, testificati sumus, ut ambularetis digne Deo, qui vocavit vos in suum regnum, et gloriam.
and testifying that you should 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.
We also give thanks to God without ceasing because, when you received the word of God that you heard from us, you accepted 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 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 Christ Jesus that are in Judea, because you suffered the same things from your own countrymen that they did 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 the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and who also drove us out. They displease God and are 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.
by hindering us from telling the Gentiles how they can be saved. In this way they are always filling up the measure of their sins, but wrath has come upon them at last.
17 Nos autem fratres desolati a vobis ad tempus horae, aspectu, non corde, abundantius festinavimus faciem vestram videre cum multo desiderio:
As for us, brothers, when we were bereaved of you for a brief hour (being physically absent, but with you in our hearts), we longed with great eagerness to see you face to face.
18 quoniam voluimus venire ad vos: ego quidem Paulus, et semel, et iterum, sed impedivit nos satanas.
Therefore we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, tried to do so again and again—but Satan hindered us.
19 Quae est enim nostra spes, aut gaudium, aut corona gloriae? Nonne vos ante Dominum nostrum Iesum Christum estis in adventu eius?
For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting in the presence of our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you?
20 vos enim estis gloria nostra et gaudium.
Yes, you are our glory and joy!
