问候
保罗、西拉、提摩太写信给帖撒罗尼迦在父神和主耶稣基督里的教会。愿恩惠、平安☛“平安”或译“和平”。归给你们！
帖撒罗尼迦信徒的信心和榜样
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.
2我们为你们众人常常感谢神，祷告的时候提到你们，We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers;
3在我们的父神面前，不住地记念你们因信心所做的工作，因爱心所受的劳苦，因盼望我们主耶稣基督所存的坚忍。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;
4神所爱的弟兄啊，我知道你们是蒙拣选的；Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.
5因为我们的福音传到你们那里，不仅在言语，也在能力，也在圣灵和充足的确信。你们知道，我们在你们那里，为你们的缘故是怎样为人。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.
6你们成为效法我们，更效法主的人，因圣灵所激发的喜乐，在大患难中领受了真道，And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:
7从此你们作了马其顿和亚该亚所有信主的人的榜样。So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.
8因为主的道已经从你们那里传播出去，你们向神的信心不只在马其顿和亚该亚，就是在各处也都传开了，所以不用我们说什么话。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.
9因为他们自己已经传讲我们是怎样进到你们那里，你们是怎样离弃偶像，归向神来服侍那又真又活的神，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;
10等候他儿子从天降临，就是神使他从死人中复活的那位救我们脱离将来愤怒的耶稣。And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.
保罗在帖撒罗尼迦的工作
弟兄们，你们自己知道我们来到你们那里并不是徒然的。
For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain:
2我们从前在腓立比蒙难受辱，这是你们知道的，可是我们还是靠着神给我们的勇气，在强烈反对中把神的福音传给你们。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.
3我们的劝勉不是出于错误，也不是出于污秽，也不是用诡诈。For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile:
4但神既然认定我们经得起考验，把福音托付我们，我们就照着传讲，不是要讨人喜欢，而是要讨那考验我们的心的神喜欢。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.
5因为我们从来没有用过谄媚的话，这是你们知道的，也没有藏着贪心，这是神可以作证的。For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness:
6我们作为基督的使徒，虽然可以受人尊重，却没有向你们或向别人求荣耀，反而在你们当中心存温柔，如同母亲哺乳自己的孩子。Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.
7既然我们这样爱你们，不但乐意将神的福音给你们，连自己的性命也乐意给你们，因为你们是我们所疼爱的。But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children:
8弟兄们，你们记念我们的辛苦劳碌，昼夜做工，传神的福音给你们，免得你们任何人受累。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.
9我们对你们信主的人是何等圣洁、正直、无可指责，这有你们作证，也有神作证。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.
10正如你们知道，我们待你们好像父亲待自己的儿女一样。Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe:
11我们劝勉你们，安慰你们，嘱咐你们，使你们行事对得起那召你们进他自己的国、得他荣耀的神。As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children,
12为此，我们也不断地感谢神，因为你们听见我们所传神的道的时候，你们领受了，不以为这是人的道，而以为这确实是神的道，而且在你们信主的人当中运行着。That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.
13弟兄们，你们与犹太地区神的各教会，就是在基督耶稣里的各教会，有同样的遭遇，因为你们也受了同胞的迫害，像他们受了犹太人的迫害一样。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.
14这些犹太人不但杀了主耶稣和先知们，又把我们赶出去。他们令神不悦，且与众人为敌，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:
15阻挠我们传道给外邦人，使他们得救，以致常常恶贯满盈，但神的愤怒终于临到他们身上。保罗希望再访问帖撒罗尼迦教会
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:
16弟兄们，我们被迫暂时与你们分离，身体离开，心却没有；我们极力想法子，渴望见你们的面。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.
17所以我们很想到你们那里去。我－保罗有一两次要去，只是撒但阻挡了我们。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.
18当我们的主耶稣再来，我们站在他面前的时候，我们的盼望、喜乐和所夸的冠冕是什么呢？不正是你们吗？Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us.
19你们就是我们的荣耀和喜乐！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?
既然我们不能再忍，就决定独自留在雅典，
Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone;
2于是差派我们在基督福音上作神同工的弟兄提摩太前去，在你们所信的道上坚固你们，劝勉你们，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:
3免得有人被这些患难动摇。因为你们自己知道，我们受患难原是命定的。That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto.
4我们在你们那里的时候，曾预先告诉你们，我们必受患难；你们知道，这果然发生了。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.
5为此，既然我不能再忍，就差派人去，要知道你们的信心如何，恐怕那诱惑人的果真诱惑了你们，以致我们的劳苦归于徒然。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.
6但是，提摩太刚从你们那里回来，将你们信心和爱心的好消息报给我们，又说你们常常记念我们，切切想见我们，如同我们想见你们一样。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:
7所以，弟兄们，我们在一切困苦患难中，因着你们的信心得到鼓励。Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith:
8如今你们若靠主站立得稳，我们就得生了。For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.
9我们在神面前，因着你们满有喜乐。为这一切喜乐，我们能用怎样的感谢为你们报答神呢？For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God;
10我们昼夜切切祈求要见你们的面，来补足你们信心的不足。Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith?
11愿我们的父神自己和我们的主耶稣，为我们开路到你们那里去。Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you.
12又愿主使你们彼此相爱的心，和爱众人的心，都能增长，充足，如同我们爱你们一样，And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you:
13好坚固你们的心，使你们在我们的主耶稣同他众圣徒来临的时候，在我们父神面前，成为圣洁，无可指责。阿们！☛有古卷没有“阿们！”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.
神所悦纳的生活
末了，弟兄们，我们靠着主耶稣求你们，劝你们，既然你们领受了我们的教导，知道该怎样行事为人，讨神的喜悦，其实你们也正这样行，我劝你们要更加努力。
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.
2你们原知道，我们凭主耶稣传给你们什么命令。For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus.
3神的旨意就是要你们成为圣洁，远避淫行；For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:
4要你们各人知道怎样用圣洁、尊贵控制自己的身体 ☛“控制自己的身体”或译“与自己的妻子相处”。，That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;
5不放纵私欲的邪情，像不认识神的外邦人。Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God:
6不准有人在这事上越轨，占他弟兄的便宜；因为这一类的事，主必报应，正如我预先对你们说过，又切切警告过你们的。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.
7神召我们本不是要我们沾染污秽，而是要我们圣洁。For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.
8所以，那弃绝这教导的不是弃绝人，而是弃绝那把自己的圣灵赐给你们的神。He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.
9有关弟兄间的手足之情，不用人写信给你们，因为你们自己蒙了神的教导要彼此相爱。But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.
10你们向全马其顿的众弟兄固然是这样行，但我劝弟兄们要更加努力。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;
11要立志过安静的生活，管自己的事，亲手☛有古卷没有“亲手”。做工，正如我们从前吩咐你们的，And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;
12好使你们的行为能得外人的尊敬，同时也不依赖任何人。主的再临
That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.
13弟兄们，至于已睡了的人，我们不愿意你们不知道，恐怕你们忧伤，像那些没有指望的人一样。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.
14既然我们信耶稣死了，复活了，那些已经在耶稣里睡了的人，神也必将他们与耶稣一同带来。For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
15我们照主的话告诉你们一件事：我们这活着还存留到主来临的人，绝不会在那已经睡了的人之先。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.
16因为，召集令一发，天使长的呼声一叫，神的号角一吹，主必亲自从天降临；那在基督里死了的人必先复活，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:
17然后我们这些活着还存留的人必和他们一同被提到云里，在空中与主相会。这样，我们就要和主永远同在。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.
18所以，你们当用这些话彼此劝勉。Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
弟兄们，关于那时候和日期，不用人写信给你们，
But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.
2因为你们自己明明知道，主的日子来到会像贼在夜间突然来到一样。For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
3人正说平安稳定的时候，灾祸忽然临到他们，如同阵痛临到怀胎的妇人一样，他们绝逃脱不了。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.
4弟兄们，你们并不在黑暗里，那日子不会像贼一样临到你们。But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
5你们都是光明之子，都是白昼之子；我们不属黑夜，也不属幽暗。Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
6所以，我们不要沉睡，像别人一样，总要警醒谨慎。Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
7因为睡了的人是在夜间睡，醉了的人是在夜间醉。For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.
8但既然我们属于白昼，就应当谨慎，把信和爱当作护心镜遮胸，把得救的盼望当作头盔戴上。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.
9因为神不是预定我们受惩罚，而是预定我们藉着我们的主耶稣基督得救。For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
10他替我们死，让我们无论醒着、睡着，都与他同活。Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.
11所以，你们该彼此劝勉，互相造就，正如你们素常做的。最后的劝勉与祝福
Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
12弟兄们，我们劝你们要敬重那些在你们中间劳苦的，就是在主里面督导你们、劝戒你们的人。And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;
13又因他们所做的工作，要以爱心格外尊重他们。你们也要彼此和睦。And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves.
14弟兄们，我们劝你们，要警戒不守规矩的人，勉励灰心的人，扶助软弱的人，对众人要有耐心。Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.
15你们要谨慎，无论是谁都不要以恶报恶，彼此间和对众人都要追求做好事。See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.
16要常常喜乐，Rejoice evermore.
17不住地祷告，Pray without ceasing.
18凡事谢恩，因为这是神在基督耶稣里向你们所定的旨意。In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
19不要熄灭圣灵；Quench not the Spirit.
20不要藐视先知的讲论。Despise not prophesyings.
21但凡事要察验：美善的事要持守，Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
22各样恶事要禁戒。Abstain from all appearance of evil.
23愿赐平安☛“平安”或译“和平”。的神亲自使你们完全成圣！愿你们的灵、魂、体得蒙保守，在我们的主耶稣基督来临的时候，完全无可指责。And the very God of peace 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.
24那召你们的本是信实的，他必成就这事。Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.
25弟兄们，请也为☛有古卷是“请为”。我们祷告。Brethren, pray for us.
26用圣洁的吻向众弟兄问安。Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss.
27我指着主嘱咐你们，要把这信宣读给众弟兄听。I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren.
28愿我们的主耶稣基督的恩惠与你们同在！The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.