Epistula I ad Thessalonicenses, 2

1. Nam ipsi scitis, fratres, introi tum nostrum ad vos, quia non inanis fuit;

1. For you yourselves know, brethren, that our visit to you was not in vain;

2. sed ante passi et contumeliis affecti, sicut scitis, in Philippis, fiduciam habuimus in Deo nostro loqui ad vos evangelium Dei in multa sollicitudine.

2. but though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philip'pi, as you know, we had courage in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the face of great opposition.

3. Exhortatio enim nostra non ex errore neque ex immunditia neque in dolo,

3. For our appeal does not spring from error or uncleanness, nor is it made with guile;

4. sed sicut probati sumus a Deo, ut crederetur nobis evangelium, ita loquimur non quasi hominibus placentes, sed Deo, qui probat corda nostra.

4. but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please men, but to please God who tests our hearts.

5. Neque enim aliquando fuimus in sermone adulationis, sicut scitis, neque sub praetextu avaritiae, Deus testis,

5. For we never used either words of flattery, as you know, or a cloak for greed, as God is witness;

6. nec quaerentes ab hominibus gloriam, neque a vobis neque ab aliis;

6. nor did we seek glory from men, whether from you or from others, though we might have made demands as apostles of Christ.

7. cum possemus oneri esse ut Christi apostoli, sed facti sumus parvuli in medio vestrum, tamquam si nutrix foveat filios suos;

7. But we were gentle among you, like a nurse taking care of her children.

8. ita desiderantes vos, cupide volebamus tradere vobis non solum evangelium Dei sed etiam animas nostras, quoniam carissimi nobis facti estis.

8. So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.

9. Memores enim estis, fratres, laboris nostri et fatigationis; nocte et die operantes, ne quem vestrum gravaremus, praedicavimus in vobis evangelium Dei.

9. For you remember our labor and toil, brethren; we worked night and day, that we might not burden any of you, while we preached to you the gospel of God.

10. Vos testes estis et Deus, quam sancte et iuste et sine querela vobis, qui credidistis, fuimus;

10. You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our behavior to you believers;

11. sicut scitis qualiter unumquemque vestrum, tamquam pater filios suos,

11. for you know how, like a father with his children, we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you

12. deprecantes vos et consolantes testificati sumus, ut ambularetis digne Deo, qui vocat vos in suum regnum et gloriam.

12. to lead a life worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.

13. Ideo et nos gratias agimus Deo sine intermissione, quoniam cum accepissetis a nobis verbum auditus Dei, accepistis non ut verbum hominum sed, sicut est vere, verbum Dei, quod et operatur in vobis, qui creditis.

13. And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.

14. Vos enim imitatores facti estis, fratres, ecclesiarum Dei, quae sunt in Iudaea in Christo Iesu; quia eadem passi estis et vos a contribulibus vestris, sicut et ipsi a Iudaeis,

14. For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus which are in Judea; for you suffered the same things from your own countrymen as they did from the Jews,

15. qui et Dominum occiderunt Iesum et prophetas et nos persecuti sunt et Deo non placent et omnibus hominibus adversantur,

15. who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out, and displease God and oppose all men

16. prohibentes nos gentibus loqui, ut salvae fiant, ut impleant peccata sua semper. Pervenit autem ira Dei super illos usque in finem.

16. by hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles that they may be saved -- so as always to fill up the measure of their sins. But God's wrath has come upon them at last!

17. Nos autem, fratres, desolati a vobis ad tempus horae, facie non corde, abundantius festinavimus faciem vestram videre cum multo desiderio.

17. But since we were bereft of you, brethren, for a short time, in person not in heart, we endeavored the more eagerly and with great desire to see you face to face;

18. Propter quod voluimus venire ad vos, ego quidem Paulus et semel et iterum; et impedivit nos Satanas.

18. because we wanted to come to you -- I, Paul, again and again -- but Satan hindered us.

19. Quae est enim nostra spes aut gaudium aut corona gloriae — nonne et vos — ante Dominum nostrum Iesum in adventu eius?

19. For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you?

20. Vos enim estis gloria nostra et gaudium.

20. For you are our glory and joy.