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。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:
保罗希望再访问帖撒罗尼迦教会
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?