\NormalFont\ShortTitle{1 THESSALONIANS}

{\MTB This book is one of the letters that the Apostle Paul wrote to the Christians at Thessalonica. We call this book

\par }{\MT 1 Thessalonians



\par }\ChapOne{1}{\SH 1 Thessalonians 1:1
\par }
{\SH I, Paul, greet you believers who are in Thessalonica
\par }
{\PP \VerseOne{1}{\ADD{I}}, Paul,
{\ADD{am writing this letter}}. Silas and Timothy
{\ADD{are with me}}.
{\ADD{We(exc) are sending this letter}} to
{\ADD{you who are}} the congregation
{\ADD{of believers}} in Thessalonica
{\ADD{city}}. We
{\ADD{(inc)}} all
{\ADD{worship}} (OR,
{\ADD{trust in}}) God
{\ADD{our}} Father [MET] and
{\ADD{our}} Lord Jesus Christ.
{\ADD{We three desire/pray that God, our Father, and Jesus Christ, our Lord, will continue to}} act kindly toward you and
{\ADD{will continue to}} cause you to have
{\ADD{inner}} peace.


\par }{\SH We always thank God for you all. We continually remember the way you live as believers and we know that God chose you. The Holy Spirit enabled us to powerfully tell you the good message, and although people persecuted you greatly, you were joyful. As a result, you inspired all the believers who are in Macedonia and Achaia to trust in God firmly, as you do.
\par }
{\SR 1 Thessalonians 1:2-10

\par }{\PP \VS{2}We always thank God for you all
{\ADD{when}} we mention you while we pray (OR,
{\ADD{when}} we pray
{\ADD{for you}}).

\VS{3}{\ADD{We thank God because}} we continually remember that you work
{\ADD{for God because}} you trust
{\ADD{in him}} and you earnestly/energetically help people because you love them. You also endure
{\ADD{it when people cause you to suffer}}. You endure it because you confidently expect that our Lord Jesus Christ
{\ADD{will soon return from heaven to rescue you}}!

\VS{4}My fellow believers whom God loves, we
{\ADD{also thank him because}} we know that he chose you
{\ADD{to become his people}}.

\VS{5}We know that he chose you because
{\ADD{when}} we told that message to you, we did not speak only words. The Holy Spirit
{\ADD{helped us to speak}} powerfully/effectively, and he strongly assured
{\ADD{us that he was powerfully working in you by means of}} the message
{\ADD{about Christ}} that we
{\ADD{told to you. You yourselves know that}}, because you know how we spoke and how we conducted ourselves when we were with you, in order that
{\ADD{we might help}} you.

\VS{6}We also
{\ADD{know that God chose you}} because we have now heard that you have endured your troubles when
{\ADD{people}} caused you to suffer very much
{\ADD{because you believed in Christ}}. You endured just like the Lord
{\ADD{Jesus Christ}} endured, and just like we did
{\ADD{when people caused us to suffer}}. At that time you were joyful because the Holy Spirit caused you to be joyful.

\VS{7}As a result
{\ADD{of your joyfully enduring your troubles}}, all the believers who live in Macedonia and Achaia
{\ADD{provinces have heard how firmly you trust God. So they know that they should firmly trust in God}} as you do.

\VS{8}Other people have heard you tell the message
{\ADD{from}} the Lord
{\ADD{Jesus}}. Then they also have proclaimed the message to people who live throughout Macedonia and Achaia
{\ADD{provinces}}. Not only that, but
{\ADD{people who live}} in many far-away places [HYP] have heard that you trust in God. As a result, we do not need to tell people
{\ADD{what God has done in your lives}}.

\VS{9}People
{\ADD{who live far from you are telling others what happened when we were with you}}. They also report that you stopped
{\ADD{worshipping things that}} ◄{\ADD{you/your ancestors}}►
{\ADD{considered to be}} gods and now you worship God.
{\ADD{As a result}}, you serve the God who is all-powerful and who is the real God.

\VS{10}They tell us that now you wait expectantly for his Son
{\ADD{to return to earth}} from heaven. You firmly believe that God caused him to live again after he died. You believe also that Jesus will rescue
{\ADD{all of}} us,
{\ADD{who trust in him}}, from
{\ADD{God’s}} punishing us [MTY].




\par }\Chap{2}{\SH You and God know that it is true that we behaved in a very virtuous, upright, and irreproachable manner toward you. You know also that we continually exhorted, encouraged, and urged that you behave in the way that God’s people should.
\par }
{\SR 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12

\par }{\PP \VerseOne{1}My fellow believers, you know that our time with you was very worthwhile/effective [LIT].

\VS{2}Although
{\ADD{people}} in Philippi
{\ADD{city}} previously mistreated us
{\ADD{(exc)}} and insulted us, as you know, our God caused us to be courageous. As a result, we told you the good message
{\ADD{that originates/comes from}} God, even though some
{\ADD{people in your city}} also strongly ◄opposed
{\ADD{us/tried to prevent us from telling God’s message}}►.

\VS{3}When we exhorted/urged (OR, tried to convince)
{\ADD{you to obey God’s message}}, we did not tell you an untrue message. Instead, we told you a true message. We do not
{\ADD{want to get something for ourselves}} by immoral means. We do not try to deceive
{\ADD{you or other people}}.

\VS{4}On the contrary, we tell God’s message because he trusted us to do that, because he examined us and considered us
{\ADD{to be acceptable to tell people}} the message about Christ. As we teach people, we do not say what they like to hear. Instead,
{\ADD{we say what}} God
{\ADD{wants us to say, because}} he examines everything that we think and what we desire.

\VS{5}We never ◄flattered you/said nice things about you insincerely►, as you know. We were never greedy, so we never needed to use words to ◄hide greediness
{\ADD{from you/cause you to think that we were not greedy}}►. God knows that this is true!

\VS{6}We never tried to get people
{\ADD{to honor us}},

\VS{7}although we could have demanded
{\ADD{that you should honor/respect us}}, because we are apostles
{\ADD{who represent}} (OR,
{\ADD{speak for}}) Christ. On the contrary, we were gentle when we were among you, as a mother
{\ADD{gently}} takes care of her own children [SIM].

\VS{8}So, because we love you, we were delighted to personally tell you the good message that God
{\ADD{gave us}}. But also we were delighted to lovingly do all that we could do to help you [SYN] because ◄you had become very dear to us/we had begun to love you very much►.

\VS{9}My fellow believers, you remember that we worked very hard [DOU]
{\ADD{in order to}} ◄{\ADD{support ourselves/earn money to buy what we needed}}►
{\ADD{while we were with you}}. We worked
{\ADD{during the}} day and
{\ADD{also at}} night in order that we would not have to ask any one of you to give us what we needed,
{\ADD{while}} we proclaimed to you the good message that God
{\ADD{gave us}}.

\VS{10}You know that it is true, and God knows that it is true, that we conducted our lives in a very pure, right, and faultless [DOU] manner toward you believers.

\VS{11}You know also that
{\ADD{we lovingly behaved/acted toward}} each one of you, just like a father
{\ADD{lovingly behaves/acts toward}} his own children [SIM].

\VS{12}{\ADD{Specifically, we}} kept strongly exhorting/urging and encouraging you that you conduct your lives in the way that God’s people should,
{\ADD{because}} he has invited you to become his people over whom he will rule in a wonderful way [HEN].


\par }{\SH We continually thank God also that you accepted as true a message that does not originate from human beings. Instead, you accepted as true the message that originates from God, and the result was that people caused you to suffer as Christ did.
\par }
{\SR 1 Thessalonians 2:13-16

\par }{\PP \VS{13}We also continually thank God because when you heard the message
{\ADD{that}} we told to you, you accepted it as the true message, the good message that God
{\ADD{gave to us}}. We did not invent it.
{\ADD{We also thank God}} that he is changing your lives because you trust this message [PRS].

\VS{14}My fellow believers, we
{\ADD{know that you sincerely believed the message from God}}, because the manner in which you acted was just like the manner in which
{\ADD{the congregations}} in Judea acted. They also
{\ADD{worship}} God,
{\ADD{and they}} ◄{\ADD{have a close relationship with/are united to}}► Christ Jesus. Specifically, you endured it
{\ADD{when}} your own countrymen
{\ADD{mistreated you because you believe the message from God}}, in the same manner that those
{\ADD{Jewish believers in Judea}} endured it
{\ADD{when}} the Jews
{\ADD{who do not believe in Christ mistreated them}}.

\VS{15}{\ADD{Unbelieving Jews are}} the ones whom God considers guilty
{\ADD{for}} killing the Lord Jesus, as well as
{\ADD{for killing}} many prophets. Other unbelieving Jews forced us to leave
{\ADD{many towns}}. They really make God angry; and
{\ADD{they are}} opposed to
{\ADD{what is best for}} all human beings!

\VS{16}{\ADD{Specifically}}, when we tell
{\ADD{the good message}} to non-Jewish people in order that they can be saved $\{${\ADD{that God}} will save them$\}$
{\ADD{spiritually}}, these
{\ADD{unbelieving Jews}} try to stop/prevent us from doing that. Because they continually sin more and more, they are almost reaching the limit that has been
{\ADD{set by God}} [MET]!
{\ADD{God}} will soon punish them [MTY], at last, for all their sins!


\par }{\SH It is because of you that we are pleased and joyful. So when people forced Silas, Timothy and me to be separated from you for a short time, we strongly desired to be with you.
\par }
{\SR 1 Thessalonians 2:17-20

\par }{\PP \VS{17}My fellow believers, when for a short time [IDM]
{\ADD{those people forced us to be separated}} from you,
{\ADD{we felt like parents}} ◄who had lost all their children/whose children had died► [MET].
{\ADD{Although}} we were far away from you,
{\ADD{we were still}} emotionally
{\ADD{concerned about you}}, and we strongly desired to be present with you.

\VS{18}{\ADD{You can know that}} we wanted to return to you. Indeed I, Paul,
{\ADD{tried to return}} twice [IDM]. But
{\ADD{we did not return because}} each time Satan
{\ADD{prevented us from returning}}.

\VS{19}{\ADD{We were strongly desiring to be with you}}, because truly you [RHQ]
{\ADD{are the ones about whom we are proud and joyful}}! It is because we are confident that you
{\ADD{will}} ◄{\ADD{remain faithful/continue believing in God}}► that we
{\ADD{will be}} joyful! You are the ones who we confidently expect
{\ADD{will keep strongly trusting in God!}} It is because you
{\ADD{will}} ◄{\ADD{remain faithful/continue believing in God}}► that we
{\ADD{will}} be proud
{\ADD{of the work that we have done}} [MET, RHQ]
{\ADD{when}} our Lord Jesus
{\ADD{examines what we all have done, at the time}} when he comes back
{\ADD{to earth}}!

\VS{20}Indeed, it is because of you that
{\ADD{even now we}} are pleased and joyful!




\par }\Chap{3}{\SH When I could no longer endure worrying about you, I sent Timothy to you in order to find out whether or not you were still trusting in God.
\par }
{\SR 1 Thessalonians 3:1-5

\par }{\PP \VerseOne{1}As a result of that, when I could no longer endure
{\ADD{worrying about you}}, I decided that
{\ADD{Silas and I}} would stay behind alone in Athens
{\ADD{city}},

\VS{2}and we two sent Timothy
{\ADD{to you. You know that he is}} our close associate and also works for God by
{\ADD{proclaiming}} the message about Christ.
{\ADD{Silas and I sent him}} in order that he would urge you to continue to strongly trust
{\ADD{in Christ}}.

\VS{3}We wanted none
{\ADD{of you}} to consider turning away from Christ as a result of
{\ADD{people}} causing you to suffer. You know that
{\ADD{God has}} planned that
{\ADD{we who trust in him will suffer like that when people do that to us who trust in him}}.

\VS{4}Remember that when we were present with you, we kept telling you that we would be persecuted $\{$that
{\ADD{people}} would cause us to suffer$\}$. And because that is what happened, you know that
{\ADD{what we said}} was true!

\VS{5}{\ADD{I was}} afraid that
{\ADD{Satan}}, the one who tempts us, had caused you
{\ADD{to stop trusting in Christ. If that had happened}}, we would have worked uselessly
{\ADD{while we were present with you! So}} I sent
{\ADD{Timothy to you}} in order to find out whether or not you were
{\ADD{still}} trusting
{\ADD{in Christ}}. I sent him because I could no longer endure
{\ADD{not knowing ◄about your spiritual condition/whether or not you were still trusting in Christ}}►.


\par }{\SH Now Timothy has just returned and has told us the good news that you still trust in Christ. As a result, we have been cheered up, and we cannot thank God adequately for what he has done for you. Very frequently we ask God that we will be able to visit you and help you to trust him more strongly.
\par }
{\SR 1 Thessalonians 3:6-10

\par }{\PP \VS{6}Now Timothy has just returned to Silas and me from
{\ADD{being with}} you, and he has told us the good news that you
{\ADD{still}} trust
{\ADD{in Christ}} and that you love
{\ADD{him}} (OR,
{\ADD{each other}}). He told us also that you always happily remember us
{\ADD{and that}} you strongly desire that we visit you, just like we strongly desire to visit you.

\VS{7}My fellow believers,
{\ADD{even though}} we are suffering very much [DOU] because of what people are doing to us here, we have been cheered up because
{\ADD{Timothy told us about}} your
{\ADD{still}} trusting
{\ADD{in Christ}}.

\VS{8}Now we feel very encouraged [IDM] that you continue to strongly
{\ADD{trust}} in the Lord
{\ADD{Jesus}}.

\VS{9}◄We cannot thank God adequately for
{\ADD{what he has done for}} you!/How can we thank God enough for
{\ADD{what he has done for}} you?► [RHQ] We greatly rejoice concerning you
{\ADD{when we pray to}} our God!

\VS{10}We constantly [HYP] and fervently/earnestly ask
{\ADD{God}} that
{\ADD{we will be able}} to visit you [SYN] and that
{\ADD{we will be able}} to help you to trust
{\ADD{in Christ/God}} more strongly!


\par }{\SH We pray that God will help us to return to you and that the Lord Jesus will help you to love each other and other people more and more, just like we love you more and more.
\par }
{\SR 1 Thessalonians 3:11-13

\par }{\PP \VS{11}We pray to God, our Father, and to our Lord Jesus, that they will ◄clear the way/make it possible► so that we can return to you.

\VS{12}As for you, we pray that the Lord Jesus will help you to love each other and other people more and more, just like we continue loving you more and more.

\VS{13}We pray that our Lord Jesus will strengthen your resolve to do what pleases God (OR, strengthen you spiritually). We pray that God our Father will enable you to conduct your lives in a way that is pure and that no one can justly criticize, so that when Jesus comes back to earth accompanied by all those who belong to him, he will be pleased with you.




\par }\Chap{4}{\SH Just like we told you previously, we strongly urge you to increasingly live in a way that will please God.
\par }
{\SR 1 Thessalonians 4:1-2

\par }{\PP \VerseOne{1-2}Now, my fellow believers,
{\ADD{I want to write}} about some other matters. Because we all have a close relationship with the Lord Jesus, we(exc) strongly urge you [DOU] to live in a way that pleases God. We taught you to do that, and you know that we lived that way as a result of what the Lord Jesus
{\ADD{told us}}. We know that you are conducting your lives that way, but
{\ADD{we strongly urge}} that you do that even more.


\par }{\SH God wants you, by your behaving in a sexually pure way, to show that you completely belong to him.
\par }
{\SR 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8

\par }{\PP \VS{3}God wants you to live pure lives that will show that you completely belong to him. He wants you to avoid doing any sexually immoral acts (OR, avoid being sexually immoral in any way).

\VS{4}{\ADD{That is, he wants}} each one of you to know how to control your own sexual desires [EUP]. He wants you to live pure lives that all people will see as good.

\VS{5}You must not lustfully desire
{\ADD{to do}} immoral acts as unbelievers [MTY]
{\ADD{do}} who do not obey God.

\VS{6}{\ADD{God wants each one of you to control your sexual desires, in order that}} no one of you sin against your fellow believer and take advantage of him or her by doing things like that. Remember that we strongly warned you previously [DOU] that the Lord
{\ADD{Jesus}} will punish all
{\ADD{people who do}} sexually immoral acts.

\VS{7}When God chose us
{\ADD{believers}}, he did not want us to
{\ADD{be people who}} behave in a sexually immoral way. On the contrary,
{\ADD{he wants us}} to be
{\ADD{people who}} behave in a morally pure way.

\VS{8}So I warn you that those who disregard
{\ADD{this teaching}} of mine
{\ADD{are}} not just disregarding me. On the contrary,
{\ADD{they are disregarding}} God,
{\ADD{because God commanded it. Remember that}} God sent his Spirit, who is holy,
{\ADD{to live}} in you!


\par }{\SH We urge you to increasingly love each other, to strive to work at your own occupations, and not meddle in others’ affairs.
\par }
{\SR 1 Thessalonians 4:9-12

\par }{\PP \VS{9}{\ADD{I want to urge you}} again
{\ADD{that you should}} love
{\ADD{your}} fellow believers [MET]. You do not really need that
{\ADD{anyone}} write to you about that, because God has already taught you
{\ADD{how}} to love each other,

\VS{10}and because you already are
{\ADD{showing that you love}} your fellow believers [HYP]
{\ADD{who live}} in other places
{\ADD{in your province}} of Macedonia. Nevertheless, my fellow believers, we urge you to
{\ADD{love each other}} even more.

\VS{11}{\ADD{We urge you}} also to eagerly strive/try to mind your own affairs and to not meddle/interfere with the affairs of others. We urge you also to work at your own occupations/jobs
{\ADD{to earn what you need to live}}. Remember that we taught you previously to live like that.

\VS{12}If you do these things, unbelievers will acknowledge/see that you behave decently/properly, and you will not have to depend on others
{\ADD{to}} ◄{\ADD{supply/give to you}}►
{\ADD{what you need}}.


\par }{\SH God will cause to live again those believers who died and will bring them to the sky with Jesus. Encourage each other by telling this message.
\par }
{\SR 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

\par }{\PP \VS{13}My fellow believers, we also want you to understand well [LIT]
{\ADD{what will happen}} to our fellow believers
{\ADD{who now}} are dead [EUP].
{\ADD{You must not be/do like}} the unbelievers. They
{\ADD{grieve deeply for people who die because}} they do not confidently expect
{\ADD{people to live again after they die}}.

\VS{14}We
{\ADD{believers}} know that it is true that Jesus died and that he came back
{\ADD{to life}} again. So
{\ADD{we also know well that}} when Jesus returns, God
{\ADD{will cause}} those
{\ADD{believers}} who died [EUP]
{\ADD{to live again}} and to come with
{\ADD{Jesus}}.

\VS{15}{\ADD{I write this}} because the Lord
{\ADD{Jesus}} revealed
{\ADD{to me}} what I am now telling you.
{\ADD{Some of you may think that}} when the Lord
{\ADD{Jesus}} comes back, he will consider that we
{\ADD{believers}} who are still living will be superior to those
{\ADD{believers}} who have died [EUP], because
{\ADD{we will meet Jesus first. That is certainly not true}}!

\VS{16}It is the Lord
{\ADD{Jesus}} himself who will descend from heaven.
{\ADD{When he comes down, he}} will command all of
{\ADD{us believers to rise from their graves}}. The chief angel will shout
{\ADD{loudly}}, and
{\ADD{another angel}} will blow a trumpet for God. Then (OR, As a result), the first thing that will happen is that the people who
{\ADD{trusted}} in Christ before they died will live again.

\VS{17}After that,
{\ADD{God}} will powerfully take up into the clouds all of us
{\ADD{believers}} who are still living
{\ADD{on this earth}}.
{\ADD{He will take us}} and those
{\ADD{other believers who have died}}, in order that
{\ADD{we all}} might together meet/welcome the Lord
{\ADD{Jesus}} in the sky. As a result of that, we
{\ADD{all}} will be with him forever.

\VS{18}Because
{\ADD{all this is true}}, encourage/comfort each other by reminding each other of this teaching.




\par }\Chap{5}{\SH We believers should be prepared for the time when the Lord Jesus returns and not be as unbelievers who will be unprepared. We must not be like them. On the contrary, we must be vigilant and self-controlled.
\par }
{\SR 1 Thessalonians 5:1-8

\par }{\PP \VerseOne{1}My fellow believers,
{\ADD{I want to tell you more}} about the time or period
{\ADD{when the Lord Jesus will come back. Really}}, you do not need me to you about that,

\VS{2}because you yourselves know accurately
{\ADD{what will happen! You know}} that the Lord
{\ADD{Jesus will return}} [MTY]
{\ADD{unexpectedly}} (OR,
{\ADD{when some people are unprepared}}).
{\ADD{People will not expect him, just like no one knows when}} a thief
{\ADD{comes unexpectedly}} at night [SIM].

\VS{3}{\ADD{At a future time}} many people will say, “{\ADD{All is}} peaceful and
{\ADD{we are}} safe!” Then suddenly the Lord Jesus will come to punish people severely! Just like a pregnant woman who
{\ADD{experiences}} birth pains
{\ADD{cannot stop those pains}}, those people will definitely not
{\ADD{have any way to}} escape
{\ADD{their punishment}}.

\VS{4-5}{\ADD{Just like people}} in the dark
{\ADD{are unaware of what is happening around them, most people will not be aware of what is about to happen to them}} [MET, PRS]. Just like a thief
{\ADD{comes unexpectedly for people who are unaware, that time of punishment will come when people are not expecting it}} [SIM]. But you, my fellow believers, are people who are very much aware [LIT] of what is going to happen. As a result, you will be expecting [LIT] those things [MTY] to happen [PRS]. All of us
{\ADD{believers}} are people [IDM]
{\ADD{who do what is right, as people usually do in}} the daytime [MET]
{\ADD{when their actions can be seen}}. We are not
{\ADD{people who do evil things, as some people do when it is}} dark [MET].

\VS{6}So we believers must be aware of what is happening. We must be watching carefully,
{\ADD{as people who are awake watch for a thief}} [MET]. We must be self-controlled, as people who are ◄sober/not drunk► are able to control what they do [MET]. People who sleep [MET]
{\ADD{are unaware of what is happening, and unbelievers are like that}}.

\VS{7}It is at night when people become drunk
{\ADD{and they do very wrong actions/things, and are unaware of what is happening because they}} are asleep.

\VS{8}But we believers are people who
{\ADD{should do what is right}} [MET], so we must be self-controlled,
{\ADD{as people}} in the daytime
{\ADD{are usually not drunk and are able to control what they do}} [MET].
{\ADD{As Roman soldiers protect themselves by}} putting on breastplates and helmets [MET], we
{\ADD{believers}} must
{\ADD{protect ourselves by continuing to}} trust and love
{\ADD{the Lord Jesus}} and by continuing to confidently expect that he will save
{\ADD{us from God’s punishing us at the time when he will punish other people}}.


\par }{\SH God has destined us believers to be saved from future punishment and to be able to live together with our Lord Jesus after he returns. Since this is true, encourage each other.
\par }
{\SR 1 Thessalonians 5:9-11

\par }{\PP \VS{9}When God chose us, he did not plan for us to
{\ADD{be people whom he will severely}} punish [MTY]. On the contrary,
{\ADD{he decided}} that he would save us because of
{\ADD{our trusting in what}} our Lord Jesus Christ
{\ADD{has done for us}}.

\VS{10}Jesus died
{\ADD{to atone/pay}} for our
{\ADD{sins}} in order that we might be able to live together with him, whether we are alive [MET] or whether we are dead [EUP]
{\ADD{when he returns to earth}}.

\VS{11}Because
{\ADD{you know that this is true}}, continue to encourage/comfort each other, as indeed you now are doing.


\par }{\SH Recognize as leaders those people who care for and instruct you; highly esteem and love them. Live peacefully with each other.
\par }
{\SR 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13

\par }{\PP \VS{12}My fellow believers, we
{\ADD{three}} ask that you recognize/honor
{\ADD{as leaders}} those people who work hard for you.
{\ADD{Specifically}}, respect those who lead you as fellow believers who ◄have a close relationship with/are united to► the Lord
{\ADD{Jesus}}. They warn you
{\ADD{to stop doing what is wrong}} (OR, they teach you
{\ADD{to do what is right}}).

\VS{13}That is, we
{\ADD{ask that you}} consider those leaders to be very important and that you love them, because they work
{\ADD{hard to help you}}. We also urge you to live peacefully with each other.


\par }{\SH Warn believers who will not work, and encourage and help those who need it. Be patient with all people. Do good things for all of them, including those who do evil things to you.
\par }
{\SR 1 Thessalonians 5:14-15

\par }{\PP \VS{14}My fellow believers, we urge that you warn
{\ADD{believers}} who will not work
{\ADD{in order to}} ◄{\ADD{obtain/earn the money to buy}}►
{\ADD{things that they need to live. Tell them that they are behaving wrongly}}. We urge you that you encourage
{\ADD{believers}} who are fearful (OR, discouraged), and that you help all people who are weak
{\ADD{in any way}}. We also urge you to be patient with everyone.

\VS{15}Make sure that none
{\ADD{of you}} does evil things to anyone
{\ADD{who has done}} evil to you. On the contrary, you must always try to do good
{\ADD{things}} for each other (OR, to fellow believers) and to everyone else.


\par }{\SH Always rejoice, pray, and thank God.
\par }
{\SR 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

\par }{\PP \VS{16}Be joyful ◄at all times/always►,

\VS{17}pray continually,

\VS{18}and thank
{\ADD{God}} ◄in all
{\ADD{circumstances/}}regardless
{\ADD{of what happens}}►. God wants you
{\ADD{to behave}} like that
{\ADD{because of what}} Christ Jesus
{\ADD{has done for you}} (OR, because you have a close relationship with Christ Jesus).


\par }{\SH Evaluate all messages that people claim that the Holy Spirit gave them. Accept authentic messages and obey them.
\par }
{\SR 1 Thessalonians 5:19-22

\par }{\PP \VS{19}Do not
{\ADD{refuse the urging from God’s}} Spirit
{\ADD{when he is working}} [MTY]
{\ADD{among you. That would be like}} throwing water on
{\ADD{a fire}} [MET]!

\VS{20}{\ADD{Specifically}}, do not despise messages that the Holy Spirit reveals to someone,
{\ADD{and reject them automatically}}.

\VS{21}On the contrary, evaluate all
{\ADD{such messages}}. Accept the
{\ADD{messages that are truly from God, and obey them}}.

\VS{22}Do not obey any kind of evil
{\ADD{message}}.


\par }{\SH We pray that God will cause you to be distinct people who behave right in every way, and I am sure that he will do this.
\par }
{\SR 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24

\par }{\PP \VS{23}{\ADD{We pray to}} God that he will change you to become more and more like his people should be. He is the one who causes
{\ADD{his people}} to have
{\ADD{inner}} peace.
{\ADD{That is, we pray}} that he will help you so that in all that you think, in all that you desire, and in all that you do, you will be without fault. We ask him that he will keep doing that
{\ADD{until}} our Lord Jesus Christ comes back
{\ADD{to earth}}.

\VS{24}{\ADD{Because God}} has invited you
{\ADD{to be his people, you can}} certainly trust him to keep on helping you to do that.


\par }{\SH Pray for us. Affectionately greet all your fellow believers, and make certain that someone reads this letter aloud to all of them. May the Lord bless you.
\par }
{\SR 1 Thessalonians 5:25-28

\par }{\PP \VS{25}My fellow believers, pray for me and for Silas and for Timothy.

\VS{26}{\ADD{When you gather together as believers}}, greet each other affectionately, as fellow believers
{\ADD{should}}.

\VS{27}Make certain that you read this letter to all the believers who may be absent when you read it at first,
{\ADD{knowing that}} the Lord
{\ADD{Jesus wants you to do it}}.

\VS{28}{\ADD{I pray that}} our Lord Jesus Christ
{\ADD{will continue to act}} kindly toward you all.


\par }