View source for First Epistle to the Thessalonians (Translated)

{{ConservativeBible}}
Paul's first letter to the Christians of [[Thessalonica]], abbreviated as 1 Thessalonians, is considered the oldest document of the New Testament.

==Chapter 1==

{| class="wikitable"
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!Verse
!King James Version
!Proposed Conservative Translation
!Analysis
|-
|1
|Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
|Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, to the church of the Thessalonians which is of God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
|
|-
|2
|We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; 
|We give thanks to God for all of you, as always, and mention you in our prayers;
|
|-
|3
|Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;
|Forever remembering the work you volunteer to do out of faith and love and patience in the hope of our Lord Jesus Christ, as our God and Father looks on.
|Makes it clear that the work done is done for faith, and not work as done for wages.
|-
|4
|Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.  
|Knowing, our beloved brothers, that God has chosen you.
|
|-
|5
|For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.
|For the Gospel is not only words to you, but came to you with power and assurance through the Holy Spirit; as you know what kind of men we were among you, for your benefit.
|
|-
|6
|And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost: 
|You became our followers and the Lord, and received the truth while suffering, with the joy of the Divine Guide.
|
|-
|7
|So that ye were examples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia. 
|So you were examples to all the believing in Macedonia and Achaia.
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|-
|8
|For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing.
|You spread the Lord's word in Macedonia and Achaia, and your faith in God is being spread everywhere, so we don't need to say anything.
|
|-
|9
|For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;
|They themselves tell how you received us, and how you turned away to idols to serve the true and living God,
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|-
|10
|And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come. 
|to wait for his Son Jesus, who he raised from the dead to save us from the coming wrath, to return.
|
|}

==Chapter 2==

{| class="wikitable"
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!Verse
!King James Version
!Proposed Conservative Translation
!Analysis
|-
|1
|For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain: 
|Brothers, know that our time spent among you wasn't wasted.
|
|-
|2
|But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention.
|We had suffered and were poorly treated in Philippi, but God made us speak the gospel to you courageously.
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|-
|3
|For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile: 
|Our appeal was not deceitful or immoral or sneaky.
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|-
|4
|But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.  
|God trusted us with his word, so we speak not to please men but to please God, who is testing our hearts.
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|5
|For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness: 
|You know that we never used flattery or greed, and God is our witness.
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|-
|6
|Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ. 
|We didn't want glory among men, from your or others.  We might have been a nuisance, though Christ's apostles,
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|-
|7
|But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children: 
|but we were gentle with you, like a nurse cherishes her children.
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|-
|8
|So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.
|We loved you so much and you were so important to us that we were willing to give to you not only God's gospels but our souls.
|
|-
|9
|For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.
|Brothers, you remember our hard work.  We worked day and night, so we would not be indebted to you, preaching the gospel of God.
|
|-
|10
|Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe: 
|You saw, as God did, how holy and justly and blamelessly we behaved among you faithful believers.
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|-
|11
|As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children, 
|You know how we challenged and helped and encouraged each of you, like a father with his children,
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|12
|That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory. 
|so you might walk a moral path, worthy of God, who invites you to his kingdom and glory.
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|13
|For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.
|We also thank God endlessly that when you accepted the word of God which you heard from us, you didn't accept it as man's word, but as God's word, which creates great change in believers.
|
|-
|14
|For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews:  
|Brothers, you became followers of the churches of God and Jesus Christ in Judaea, and you have been oppressed by your countrymen, just like they've been by the Jews,
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|-
|15
|Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men:
|who killed Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and no persecute us.  God is not pleased with them, and they oppose all mankind.
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|-
|16
|Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost. 
|They tell us not to talk to the Gentiles and save them.  Their hearts are always full of sin, and God's wrath has come down on them.
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|17
|But we, brethren, being taken from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavoured the more abundantly to see your face with great desire. 
|Brothers, when we had to leave you after a short time together (but not in our hearts), we did everything we could to see you again.
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|18
|Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us. 
|We, and even I, Paul, could have returned again and again, but Satan held us back.
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|19
|For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?
|What is our hope, our joy? What makes us rejoice? Is it not that you will be in Lord Jesus Christ's presence when he returns?
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|20
|For ye are our glory and joy.  
|You are our glory and joy.
|
|}

==Chapter 3==

{| class="wikitable"
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!Verse
!King James Version
!Proposed Conservative Translation
!Analysis
|-
|1
|Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone;  
|We couldn't take it any more, so we decided it was best to leave Athens.
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|-
|2
|And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith:
|We sent brother Timotheus, a minister of God and fellow volunteer in spreading Christ's word, to strengthen you and comfort you in your faith,
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|-
|3
|That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto.  
|so you might not be upset by these trials.  You know we were destined for them.
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|4
|For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know.  
|It's true that when we were among you, we said we should undergo trials, and you know it happened.
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|-
|5
|For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain. 
|For that reason, when I couldn't stop myself, I wrote to learn of your faith, unless some deceiver might have tempted you and destroyed our work.
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|-
|6
|But now when Timotheus came from you unto us, and brought us good tidings of your faith and charity, and that ye have good remembrance of us always, desiring greatly to see us, as we also to see you: 
|But Timotheus came to us and told good news of your faith and charity, that you remember us kindly, and wanted a reunion just like we did.
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|-
|7
|Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith:  
|So, brothers, we were reassured regarding you by your faith, despite our trials and worry.
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|8
|For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord. 
|Now we can truly live, as you are firm in your faith to the Lord.
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|9
|For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God; 
|How can we possibly thank God for you, for the joy we have in front of God thanks to you?
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|-
|10
|Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?  
|Every day and night we pray and pray to see you again, to perfect whatever your faith is lacking.
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|11
|Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you. 
|May our Father God and Lord Jesus Christ lead us to you,
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|-
|12
|And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you:  
|and may the Lord multiply your number and your love of each other and all men, just as we love you,
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|-
|13
|To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.
|so that he may strengthen your sinless hearts with holiness in front of our Father God at Lord Jesus Christ's second coming with his saints.
|
|}

==Chapter 4==

{| class="wikitable"
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!Verse
!King James Version
!Proposed Conservative Translation
!Analysis
|-
|1
|Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more. 
|Brothers, since we've told you how to walk in life and you've listened to us, we ask and encourage you in Jesus' name to do this more and more.
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|-
|2
|For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus. 
|Because you know the commandments we gave you in Jesus' name.
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|-
|3
|For this is the will of God, even your [[Holy|sanctification]], that ye should abstain from fornication: 
|It is God's will and for your purification that you not engage in sexual immorality,
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|4
|That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;   
|that you should all know how to keep your body pure and honorable,
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|5
|Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God:  
|not lusting like the godless Gentiles.
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|6
|That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified. 
|We have warned and told you that no man should deceive his brother in any way, because the Lord will avenge it all.
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|-
|7
|For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. 
|God has not called us to be dirty, but to be holy.
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|8
|He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit. 
|So the man who hates us, does not hate men, but hates God, who gave us the holy Divine Guide.
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|-
|9
|But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another. 
|You don't need my words about brotherly love.  God has taught you to love each other.
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|-
|10
|And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia: but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more;
|So you should love all the brothers throughout Macedonia.  Yet we encourage you, brothers, to multiply and multiply,
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|11
|And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;  
|to practice calmness, to mind your own business, to work diligently, just like we charged you.
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|12
|That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.  
|That way, you can be honest with those who are dishonest, and you will not miss anything.
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|13
|But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
|Brothers, I don't want you to be ignorant about those who have died, or to grieve like those without faith.
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|14
|For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.  
|We believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so those who died with faith in Jesus will come with God.
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|15
|For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
|We tell you the Lord's word, that those of us who are alive when the Lord returns will to meet him before the dead.
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|16
|For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
|The Lord himself will come down from heaven with the archangel's shout and God's trumpet, and the faithful dead will rise up.
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|17
|Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 
|Then those of us still alive will be taken up with them into the clouds and meet the Lord on air.  Then we will be with him forever.
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|18
|Wherefore comfort one another with these words.  
|So comfort each other with his knowledge.
|
|}

==Chapter 5==

{| class="wikitable"
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!Verse
!King James Version
!Proposed Conservative Translation
!Analysis
|-
|1
|But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. 
|Brothers, I don't need to write to you about the day or season,
|
|-
|2
|For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. 
|because you know that the day of the Lord's return will be like a thief coming during the night.
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|3
|For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. 
|When the doubters say "it is peaceful and safe!" then destruction will suddenly meet them like the pains of a pregnant woman.  They will not escape.
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|4
|But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.    
|But brothers, you are not ignorant that the day will reach you like a thief.
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|5
|Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.   
|You are children of light, the children of day.  We are not from the night or darkness.
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|6
|Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.  
|So we should not sleep like the others.  Let's watch soberly.
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|7
|For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. 
|The sleepers sleep at night, and the drunks are drunk at night.
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|8
|But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. 
|Let us people of the day be sober, wear the breastplate of faith and love and the helmet of hope of salvation.
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|9
|For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,  
|God has not told us to be enraged, but to gain salvation through Lord Jesus Christ,
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|-
|10
|Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. 
|who died so that we will live eternally with him, whether we be living or dead.
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|11
|Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.   
|So continue to comfort and strengthen each other.
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|-
|12
|And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;   
|So brothers we ask you to understand those of the Lord's leaders who work with you who correct you.
|is leaders right?
|-
|13
|And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves. 
|Respect and love them for the sake of their work, and be at peace.
|
|-
|14
|Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.  
|And brothers we encourage you to warn the rowdy, comfort the unintelligent, strengthen the weak, and be patient with all men.
|
|-
|15
|See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.
|Make sure no man pays back evil with evil, and always follow the right path, with each other and with all men.
|
|-
|16
|Rejoice evermore. 
|Rejoice forever.
|
|-
|17
|Pray without ceasing.  
|Never stop praying.
|
|-
|18
|In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.   
|Be thankful to God in everything, as Jesus Christ wants you to.
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|-
|19
|Quench not the Spirit. 
|Don't repress the Divine Guide.
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|-
|20
|Despise not prophesyings. 
|Don't sneer at prophecy.
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|-
|21
|Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. 
|Test everything, and keep the good.
|
|-
|22
|Abstain from all appearance of evil.   
|Never appear to do an evil thing.
|
|-
|23
|And the very God of peace [[Holy|sanctify]] you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
|May our God of peace purify you.  I pray to God your spirit, body, and soul will remain spotless until the return of Lord Jesus Christ.
|
|-
|24
|Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.  
|God is faithful and will do as he promised.
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|-
|25
|Brethren, pray for us.  
|Brothers, pray for us.
|
|-
|26
|Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss. 
|And greet all brothers with a holy embrace.
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|-
|27
|I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren. 
|I ask you in the Lord's name to read this letter to all the holy brothers.
|
|-
|28
|The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. 
|The grace of Lord Jesus Christ be with you, Amen.
|
|}

[[Category:Conservative Bible]]