1 P aul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church 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. Their Good Example

This letter is from Paul and Silas and Timothy. It is to you, the church, in the city of Thessalonica. You belong to God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. May you have His loving-favor and His peace.

2 W e give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers,

We thank God for you all the time and pray for you.

3 r emembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father,

While praying to God our Father, we always remember your work of faith and your acts of love and your hope that never gives up in our Lord Jesus Christ.

4 k nowing, beloved brethren, your election by God.

Christian brothers, we know God loves you and that He has chosen you.

5 F or our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake.

The Good News did not come to you by word only, but with power and through the Holy Spirit. You knew it was true. You also knew how we lived among you. It was for your good.

6 A nd you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit,

You followed our way of life and the life of the Lord. You suffered from others because of listening to us. But you had the joy that came from the Holy Spirit.

7 s o that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe.

Because of your good lives, you are showing all the Christians in the countries of Macedonia and Greece how to live.

8 F or from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything.

The Word of the Lord has been spoken by you in the countries of Macedonia and Greece. People everywhere know of your faith in God without our telling them.

9 F or they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God,

The people themselves tell us how you received us when we came to you. They talk of how you turned to God from worshiping false gods. Now you worship the true and living God.

10 a nd to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.

They tell us how you are waiting for His Son Jesus to come down from heaven. God raised Him from the dead. It is Jesus Who will save us from the anger of God that is coming.