1 Thessalonians 2
1 For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain:
Yes, friends, you yourselves know that your reception of us was not without result.
2 But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our Elohim to speak unto you the gospel of YHWH with much contention.
For, although we had experienced suffering and ill treatment, as you know, at Philippi, we had the courage, by the help of our God, to tell you God’s good news in spite of great opposition.
3 For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile:
Our appeal to you was not based on a delusion, nor was it made from unworthy motives, or with any intention of misleading you.
4 But as we were allowed of YHWH to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but YHWH, which trieth our hearts.
But, having been found worthy by God to be entrusted with the good news, therefore we tell it; with a view to please, not people, but God who proves our hearts.
5 For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; YHWH is witness:
Never at any time, as you know, did we use the language of flattery, or make false professions in order to hide selfish aims. God will bear witness to that.
6 Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of the Messiah.
Nor did we seek to win honour from people, whether from you or from others, although, as apostles of Christ, we might have burdened you with our support.
7 But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children:
But we lived among you with the simplicity of a child; we were like a woman nursing her own children.
8 So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of YHWH only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.
In our strong affection for you, that seemed to us the best way of sharing with you, not only God’s good news, but our lives as well – so dear had you become to us.
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 Elohim.
You will not have forgotten, friends, our labour and toil. Night and day we used to work at our trades, so as not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you God’s good news.
10 Ye are witnesses, and YHWH also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe:
You will bear witness, and God also, that our relations with you who believed in Christ were pure, and upright, and beyond reproach.
11 As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children,
Indeed, you know that, like a father with his own children, we used to encourage and comfort every one of you, and solemnly plead with you;
12 That ye would walk worthy of YHWH, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.
so that you should make your daily lives worthy of God who is calling you into the glory of his kingdom.
13 For this cause also thank we YHWH without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of YHWH which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of YHWH, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.
This, too, is a reason why we, on our part, are continually thanking God – because, in receiving the teaching that you had from us, you accepted it, not as the teaching of humans, but as what it really is – the teaching of God, which is even now doing its work within you who believe in Christ.
14 For ye, brethren, became followers of the assemblies of YHWH which in Judaea are in the Messiah Yahushua: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews:
For you, friends, began to follow the example of the churches of God in Judea which are in union with Jesus Christ; you, in your turn, suffering at the hands of your fellow citizens, in the same way as those churches did at the hands of their people –
15 Who both killed the Master Yahushua, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not YHWH, and are contrary to all men:
who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and persecuted us also. They do not try to please God, and they are enemies to all humanity,
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.
for they try to prevent us from speaking to the Gentiles with a view to their salvation, and so are always filling up the measure of their iniquity. But the wrath of God has come upon them to the full!
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.
As for ourselves, friends, our having been bereaved of you even for a short time – though in body only, and not in spirit – made us all the more eager to see your faces again; and the longing to do so was strong on us.
18 Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us.
That was why we made up our minds to go and see you – at least I, Paul, did, more than once – but Satan put difficulties in our way.
19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Master Yahushua the Messiah at his coming?
For what hope or joy will be ours, or what crown will we have to boast of, in the presence of our Lord Jesus, at his coming, if it isn’t you?
20 For ye are our glory and joy.
You are our pride and our delight!
