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Paul's manner of I. THESSALONIANS, II. preaching the gospel. 7 So that ye were ensamples know, nor a cloak of covetousto all that believe in Macedonia ness; God is witness:

and Achaia.

6 Nor of men sought we

8 For from you sounded out glory, neither of you, nor yet the word of the Lord not only of others, when we might have in Macedonia and Achaia, but been burdensome, as the aposalso in every place your faith to tles of Christ.

God-ward is spread abroad; so 7 But we were gentle among that we need not to speak any you, even as a nurse cherisheth thing. her children:

9 For they themselves shew 8 So being affectionately deof us what manner of entering sirous of you, we were willing in we had unto you, and how to have imparted unto you, not ye turned to God from idols, the gospel of God only, but also to serve the living and true our own souls, because ye were God; dear unto us.

10 And to wait for his Son 9 For ye remember, brethren, from heaven, whom he raised our labour and travail: for lafrom the dead, even Jesus, which bouring night and day, because delivered us from the wrath to we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.

come.

CHAP. II.

you, that it was not in vain :

10 Ye are witnesses, and God

How they received the gospel. OR yourselves, brethren, also, how holily, and justly, and know our entrance in unto unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe: 2 But even after that we had 11 As ye know how we suffered before, and were shame- exhorted, and comforted, and, fully entreated, as ye know, at charged every one of you, as a Philippi, we were bold in our father doth his children, God to speak unto you the 12 That ye would walk worthy gospel of God with much con- of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory. 3 For our exhortation was not 13 For this cause also thank of deceit, nor of uncleanness, we God without ceasing, benor in guile; cause, when ye received the 4 But as we were allowed of word of God which ye heard of God to be put in trust with the us, ye received it not as the gospel, even so we speak; not word of men, but (as it is in as pleasing men, but God, which truth) the word of God, which trieth our hearts. effectually worketh also in you

tention.

5 For neither at any time that believe. used we flattering words, as ye

14 For ye, brethren, became

Paul's love and great care I. THESSALONIANS, for the Thessalonians : followers of the churches of God and to comfort you concerning which in Judea are in Christ your faith:

Jesus: for ye also have suffered 3 That no man should be like things of your own country- moved by these afflictions: for men, even as they have of the yourselves know that we are apJews: pointed thereunto.

15 Who both killed the Lord 4 For verily, when we were Jesus, and their own prophets, with you, we told you before and have persecuted us; and that we should suffer tribulation; they please not God, and are even as it came to pass, and ye contrary to all men : know.

16 Forbidding us to speak to 5 For this cause, when I could the Gentiles that they might be no longer forbear, I sent to know saved, to fill up their sins always: your faith, lest by some means for the wrath is come upon them the tempter have tempted you, to the uttermost. and our labour be in vain.

17 But we, brethren, being 6 But now, when Timotheus taken from you for a short time came from you unto us, and in presence, not in heart, en- brought us good tidings of your deavoured the more abundantly faith and charity, and that ye to see your face with great have good remembrance of us desire. always, desiring greatly to see 18 Wherefore we would have us, as we also to see you: come unto you, even I Paul, 7 Therefore, brethren, we once and again; but Satan hin- were comforted over you in all dered us. our affliction and distress by

19 For what is our hope, or your faith: joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are

8 For now we live, if ye

not even ye in the presence of stand fast in the Lord. our Lord Jesus Christ at his

coming?

9 For what thanks can we render to God again for you,

20 For ye are our glory and for all the joy wherewith we

joy.

CHAP. III.

Paul's love in sending them Timothy.

joy for your sakes before our God;

10 Night and day praying HEREFORE, when we exceedingly that we might see could no longer forbear, your face, and might perfect we thought it good to be left at that which is lacking in your Athens alone; faith?

2 And sent Timotheus, our 11 Now God himself and our brother, and minister of God, Father, and our Lord Jesus and our fellow-labourer in the Christ, direct our way unto gospel of Christ, to establish you, you.

He exhorteth them to please God, CHAP. IV. and to proceed in holiness.

12 And the Lord make you despiseth not man, but God to increase and abound in love who hath also given unto us his one toward another, and toward Holy Spirit.

all men, even as we do toward 9 But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write

you:

13 To the end he may estab- unto you: for ye yourselves fish your hearts unblameable in are taught of God to love one holiness before God, even our another.

Father, at the coming of our 10 And indeed ye do it toward Lord Jesus Christ with all his all the brethren which are in all

saints.

CHAP. IV.

Exhortation to godliness.
URTHERMORE then we

FU

Macedonia: but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more;

11 And that ye study to be beseech you, brethren, and quiet, and to do your own busiexhort you by the Lord Jesus, ness, and to work with your that as ye have received of us own hands, as we commanded how ye ought to walk and to you; please God, so ye would abound more and more.

12 That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, 2 For ye know what com- and that ye may have lack of mandments we gave you by the nothing.

Lord Jesus.

13 But I would not have you 3 For this is the will of God, to be ignorant, brethren, coneven your sanctification, that cerning them which are asleep, ye should abstain from forni- that ye sorrow not, even as cation: others which have no hope.

4 That every one of you should 14 For if we believe that Jesus know how to possess his vessel died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus

in sanctification and honour;

5 Not in the lust of concu- will God bring with him. piscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God:

15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that 6 That no man go beyond we which are alive and remain and defraud his brother in any unto the coming of the Lord matter: because that the Lord shall not prevent them which is the avenger of all such, as are asleep.

we also have forewarned you 16 For the Lord himself shall and testified. descend from heaven with a 7 For God hath not called shout, with the voice of the us unto uncleanness, but unto archangel, and with the trump holiness. of God: and the dead in Christ

8 He therefore that despiseth, shall rise first:

Certainty and suddenness I. THESSALONIANS, of Christ's second coming. 17 Then we which are alive salvation by our Lord Jesus and remain shall be caught up Christ, together with them in the clouds, 10 Who died for us, that, to meet the Lord in the air: whether we wake or sleep, we and so shall we ever be with should live together with him. the Lord. 11 Wherefore, comfort your18 Wherefore, comfort one selves together, and edify one another with these words. another, even as also ye do. 12 And we beseech you,

BUT

CHAP. V.

Description of Christ's coming. brethren, to know them which UT of the times and the labour among you, and are over seasons, brethren, ye have you in the Lord, and admonish no need that I write unto you. you;

2 For yourselves know per- 13 And to esteem them very fectly, that the day of the Lord highly in love for their work's so cometh as a thief in the sake. And be at peace among night. yourselves. 3 For when they shall say, 14 Now we exhort you, brethPeace and safety; then sudden ren, warn them that are unruly, destruction cometh upon them, comfort the feeble-minded, supas travail upon a woman with port the weak, be patient tochild; and they shall not escape. ward all men.

4 But ye, brethren, are not 15 See that none render evil in darkness, that that day should for evil unto any man; but ever overtake you as a thief. follow that which is good, both 5 Ye are all the children of among yourselves, and to all light, and the children of the men. day we are not of the night, nor of darkness.

6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.

16 Rejoice evermore.
17 Pray without ceasing.

18 In every thing give thanks : for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

19 Quench not the Spirit.
20 Despise not prophesy-

7 For they that sleep, sleep in the night; and they that be drunken, are drunken in the ings. night.

21 Prove all things; hold

8 But let us, who are of the fast that which is good. day, be sober, putting on the 22 Abstain from all appearbreast-plate of faith and love; ance of evil. and for a helmet, the hope of salvation.

peace

23. And the very God of sanctify you wholly; and I pray 9 For God hath not appoint-God your whole spirit, and soul, ed us to wrath, but to obtain and body, be preserved blame

The apostle concludes with

CHAP. V.

salutation and prayer.

less unto the coming of our Lord that this epistle be read unto all

Jesus Christ.

24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.

25 Brethren, pray for us.

26 Greet all the brethren with

a holy kiss.

27 I charge you by the Lord

the holy brethren.

28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

The first epistle unto the Thessalonians was written from Athens.

The Second Epistle of PAUL, the Apostle, to the THESSALONIANS.

CHAP. I.

7 And to you, who are trouPaul's comfort against persecution. bled, rest with us, when the AUL, and Silvanus, and Ti- Lord Jesus shall be revealed motheus, unto the church from heaven with his mighty of the Thessalonians in God angels,

PAUL

Christ:

our Father and the Lord Jesus 8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not 2 Grace unto you, and peace, God, and that obey not the gosfrom God our Father and the pel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Lord Jesus Christ. 9 Who shall be punished with

in

3 We are bound to thank everlasting destruction from the God always for you, brethren, presence of the Lord, and from as it is meet, because that your the glory of his power; faith groweth exceedingly, and 10 When he shall come to the charity of every one of you be glorified in his saints, and all toward each other aboundeth; to be admired in all them that 4 So that we ourselves glory believe (because our testimony you in the churches of God, among you was believed) in that for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribula- 11 Wherefore also we pray tions that ye endure: always for you, that our God 5 Which is a manifest token would count you-worthy of this of the righteous judgment of calling, and fulfil all the good God, that ye may be counted pleasure of his goodness, and worthy of the kingdom of God, the work of faith with power: for which ye also suffer: 12 That the name of our Lord

day.

6 Seeing it is a righteous Jesus Christ may be glorified in thing with God to recompense you, and ye in him, according tribulation to them that trouble to the grace of our God, and of the Lord Jesus Christ.

you;

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