1

1 Paul, Silvanus (or: Silas), and Timothy, to the called-out community of [the] Thessalonians within God our Father, even (or: and) [the] Lord (or: in union with God, our Father and Lord), Jesus Christ:"

2 Grace and peace (or: Favor and harmony) to you from God, our Father and Lord (or: our Father, and [the] Lord), Jesus Christ ([the] Anointed)!"

3 We continue being indebted to be constantly expressing gratitude to God (or: We are continually owing [it] to be habitually acknowledging the goodness of grace and the well-being from the favor in God) – always – concerning you, brothers (= fellow believers; = Family members), according as it is continually valuable (pushes the scales down; is worthy), because your faith (or: trust; conviction; loyalty) is constantly flourishing (growing above; over-growing; exceedingly increasing) and the love of each one of you all continuously abounds (exists in abundance) unto and into the midst of each other,"

4 so that we ourselves boast in you folks among God's summoned-forth ones (among those called-out of God; or: in union with God’s called-out communities) over your steadfast remaining under to give support (or: persistent patient endurance) and faith (or: loyalty; trust) within all your pursuits (or: chasings; or: persecutions; harassments) and the pressures (squeezings; constrictions; contractions; tribulations; oppressions; ordeals) which you habitually have again (or: sustain; hold up)."

5 [This is] a display-effect (result of pointing-out; demonstration) of God's fair and equitable (just; in accord with the Way pointed out) deciding (separating for an evaluation or a judging), [leading] unto your being accounted worthy (deemed of equal value) of God's kingdom (or: the sovereign reign which is God), over (or: on behalf of) which you are also constantly having sensible experiences (or: normally feeling emotions; or: repeatedly suffering),"

6 since in regard to a person who observes the Way pointed out – a rightwised person – [it is right] in the presence of God (or: if [it is], after all, the right thing with and beside God [= on God's part]), to repay pressure (or: squeezing and oppression; ordeal; trouble) to those continuously pressuring (squeezing; oppressing; troubling) you folks,"

7 and to (or: for; in) you – the folks being continuously pressed – relaxation (ease; a relaxing of a state of constriction; relief), together with us, within the midst of the uncovering (the unveiling; the laying bare; the revelation; the disclosure) of the Lord Jesus from [the] atmosphere (or: sky; heaven), along with agents of His power (or: with His agents of ability) –"

8 within a fire, of flame [with other MSS: in union with a blaze of fire] continuously giving justice (or: repeatedly imparting the effects of fair and equitable dealings from out of the way pointed out, and the maintaining of right) among (or: for; in; with; to) those not knowing (or: perceiving) God, even among (or: for; in; with; to) those not continuously listening to or paying attention and obeying the message of goodness and well-being, which is our Lord, Jesus (or: which comes from and pertains to our Master and Owner: Jesus)."

9 These certain folks who will proceed paying the thing that is right (incur justice, fairness and equity): ruin pertaining to the Age [of Messiah] (or: an unspecified period of ruin or destruction; or: ruin for an age; eonian destruction having the character of the Age) [coming] from the Lord's face [= the Christ's or Yahweh’s presence], even from the glory of His strength (or: spreading from the manifestation which calls forth praise regarding, and having the character of, His strength) –"

10 whenever He may come and go, to be made glorious within (to be glorified in union with; to have a reputation within) His set-apart folks (holy and sacred people), and to be wondered at (marveled at; admired) within all the folks believing in that day, seeing that our testimony (or: evidence), [being placed] on you, was believed (received with faith) and is trusted."

11 Unto which end we always continuously pray (think or speak toward having goodness, ease and well-being), also, concerning you in order that our God would account you worthy of the calling (or: of equal value to the invitation) and would fill (or: make full) every delight (pleasure, good thought) of virtue (excellence; goodness) and work of faith in power (or: and may make every good disposition of excellence and action of trust full, in union with ability),"

12 so that the Name of our Lord, Jesus [other MSS add: Christ], may be invested with glory (glorified; made to be a manifestation and a reputation which calls forth praise) within you folks, and you within Him, according to (down from; in line with; on the level of) the grace and favor of our God and Lord, Jesus Christ (or: from our God, and [the] Owner, Anointed Jesus)."

2

1 Now we are asking (or: requesting) you, brothers (= believers), over [the subject of] the presence of our Lord, Jesus Christ (or: concerning our Master, Jesus Christ, [being] present), and our being gathered together (or: being fully led together and assembling) upon Him:"

2 in regard to this, you are not at any point to be quickly shaken (tossed, as by the sea, or caused to totter, like a reed) away from [your] mind (mental senses of perception; the ability to be aware and reason; wits; intelligent understanding), nor to be continuously alarmed (caused to cry aloud from nervousness or excitement), neither through a spirit (or: a breath-effect; an attitude), nor through a word (or: a thought; a message; a verbal communication), nor through a letter – as [if] by us – as though the Lord's Day (the Day of the Lord [= Yahweh or Christ]) has been set in place (placed in; made to stand in; has stood within so as to be here). [comment: the day of Yahweh was a term that figured a time of judging and hard times, in the Old Testament; e.g., cf Joel 1:15 and 2:1-2; Jer. 30:7; Amos 5:18; Zeph. 1:14-18]"

3 May no one at any point beguile or seduce you folks from a deception – not even down from one turn (or: not according to one method; not in the sphere of a manner or disposition) – because should not the standing away from (the departure; the setting away; or: the rebellion; the revolt) come first, and thus the human from the lawlessness – the person of failure (some MSS: the Man who missed the mark – sinned; the human being with the qualities and character of error and mistake; [other MSS: the person owned by lawlessness or associated with illegal acts]) – be uncovered (unveiled; revealed; disclosed): the son of the loss (= the person having the qualities of, or the character resulting from, the destruction),"

4 the one continuously occupying an opposite position (or: constantly lying as the opposing counterpart) and repeatedly lifting (or: raising) himself up over all (or: upon everything) being normally called God or an effect of worship (or: reverent awe), so as to cause him to be seated – down into the midst of the temple of God (or: God's dwelling place) – continuously displaying himself, that this/it is God (or: continuously pointing out that he himself is a god)?"

5 Do you not remember that, still being with you, I said these things to you?"

6 And now you know (have seen and are aware of) the thing continuously holding down in a firm grasp (detaining, restraining) unto the [situation for] him to be uncovered (unveiled; disclosed) in his own fitting situation (or: proper occasion; suitable season; fertile moment)."

7 For the secret (hidden purpose; mystery) of the lawlessness (pertaining to the condition of being without law; which is the unlawfulness; having the character of being violation of the Law; whose source is the contrariness to custom) is already continuously working within (operating; energizing), [yet] only until the one (or: man; [note: masculine article]) continuously holding down in a firm grasp (detaining; restraining) at the present moment can birth himself (bring himself to be; = separate himself) forth from out of the midst."

8 And then (at that time) the lawless person (the unlawful one; the one without law; the man who violates the Law; the person being contrary to custom) will be uncovered (unveiled; disclosed), whom the Lord Jesus will take back up again (or: lift up; reading 'anaireo' with Nestle, Tasker & Concordant texts; Griesbach & other MSS read 'analisko': consume, use up, expend) by the Spirit (Breath-effect) of His mouth, and will deactivate (render inoperative and useless; make inert) by the manifestation (the bringing of light upon and setting in full and clear view, causing an appearance) of his (or: its; or: His) presence –"

9 whose presence is continuously existing in correspondence to (or: in line with; in the sphere of; on the level of) the adversary's (opponent's; or: satan's) in-working activity (or: is constantly in accordance with the operation of the “adversary” or satan), in all power (or: within all ability) as well as signs and wonders of falsehood (or: which are a lie),"

10 and within every deception (delusion; seduction) of the injustice (wrong; thing that is not the way pointed out and which is not right) within the folks continuously or repeatedly being lost (or: by the folks progressively destroying themselves) in return for which (or: in the place of which) they do (or: did) not take unto themselves and welcomely receive the love of, and from, the truth (or: Truth's love; the Love which is Truth and Reality; or: an appreciation of and affection for reality), into the [situation for] them at some point to be suddenly delivered (restored to health and wholeness; rescued; saved; restored to the original state and condition)."

11 And so, because of this, God is continuously sending to (or: in) them an in-working (or: operation) of wandering (or: which is the source of being caused to stray; which has the character of error and deception) into the [situation for] them to believe, and to trust, the lie,"

12 to the end that all those not believing the Truth (or: having conviction of or trusting the reality), but rather approving and delighting in injustice (inequity; the thing that is not right), may (or: can; would) at some point be sifted, separated and decided about (or: judged)."

13 However we, ourselves, are presently indebted (or: continuously owing) to be constantly expressing gratitude to God (or: speaking of the goodness of grace and the well-being of the favor in God) always, concerning you: brothers (= fellow believers) having been loved continuing to be unambiguously accepted by the Lord [= Yahweh or Christ] because God chose you for Himself, from [the] beginning, unto deliverance, [other MSS: God selected and took you in preference {to be} a firstfruit into a restoration to the original state and condition (or: into the midst of health and wholeness; {leading you} unto rescue and salvation)], in a setting-apart of spirit and faith which has the character of truth (or: a making sacred from Breath-effect and trust from reality; or: in union with Spirit's differencing and Truth's faith),"

14 on into which, through our message of goodness, ease and well-being, He also called you folks [other MSS: us] into an encompassing (or: forming an encirclement; establishing a perimeter; creating a surrounding, and thus a procuring) of the glory (or: which is the glory; from the manifestation which calls forth praise) of our Lord, Jesus Christ (or: [the] Anointed)."

15 Consequently, then, brothers (= fellow believers; = family), you continuously stand firm and stationary (or, as an imperative: progressively make a stand; habitually stand firm) and you continuously have (or, imperative: progressively get) in your strength – with a masterful grip – the things handed alongside (transmissions; traditions) which you were taught, whether through a word (or: [the] Logos; a thought or an idea; a message) or through our letter."

16 Now may our Lord, Jesus Christ Himself, even (or: and) our God and Father, the One loving us and giving a calling alongside pertaining to the Age (or: performance as a Paraclete with age-lasting aid; eonian relief, encouragement, consolation and admonition) as well as a good expectation (or: a virtuous and excellent hope) in grace (or: in union with favor),"

17 be at once calling your hearts alongside and establishing (making to stand fast; making stable and firm) you in every good (or: excellent; virtuous) work and word (or: thought; idea; message) [with other MSS: in all the Word and in virtuous action]."

3

1 The remainder (or: What is left; Finally), brothers (= fellow believers), keep on praying concerning us (surrounding us with words and thoughts having goodness and well-being), to the end that the Word of the Lord (or: the Lord's idea and message) would continuously run (move quickly) and may constantly be made glorious (or: be characterized by a manifestation which calls forth praise; be of good reputation), according as [it is and does] also with you,"

2 and that we may be rescued (dragged out) away from the out-of-place (or: improper; absurd; abnormal; off-base; weird; outrageous; perverse) and misery-gushing people (or: unprofitable, useless, unsound or evil folks), for you see, not everyone [is] disposed to the faith (or: this trust and loyalty is not associated with all people; not [yet is] the faith a source for all folks; not from all people [do we find] the faith; conviction [is presently] not a possession of all people; this trust [does] not [now] pertain to everyone)."

3 But the Lord [= Yahweh or Christ] is (or: exists) continuously faithful (loyal; full of faith), who will progressively establish (set you to stand fast) and keep (guard; protect) you folks away from the malicious person (or: the unsound and unprofitable; the painful labor; the malignant situation)."

4 Yet we have been persuaded and so place confidence on you, in [the] Lord [= Christ or Yahweh], that the things which we are repeatedly passing along as an announcement to you people, you folks both habitually do and will continue doing (or: normally produce and will keep on producing)."

5 So may the Lord [= Christ or Yahweh] make fully straight, then direct and guide, your hearts into the midst of God's love (the love which is God) and into the relentless patient endurance which is Christ (or: the persistent remaining under to support, which comes from the Anointed One and the Anointing)!"

6 Now we are once again passing along this advice to you, brothers (= fellow believers; = family), in the Name of our Lord, Jesus Christ, to continuously place yourselves away from (or: avoid) every brother (= believer) [who is] continuously walking about disorderly (without order; or: behaving with irregular conduct), and not according to the transmission (thing given over and delivered alongside; the tradition) which you folks [other MSS: they] received (took to your side) from us."

7 For you yourselves have seen, and thus are aware of, how it continues necessary and binding [for you] to continuously imitate us, because we were not disorderly among you,"

8 neither did we eat bread as a gift from anyone, but rather [we were] in wearisome toil (also: beating; cutting off) and difficult travail (or: hard labor) continuously working night and day so as not, at any point, to be a burden upon (put extra weight on) any of you."

9 [It was] not because we continue having no right (or: holding no authority from being), but rather to the end that we ourselves may give to you folks a pattern (or: offer ourselves as a model and example for you) unto the [purpose for you] to be continuously imitating us!"

10 You see, even when we were face to face with you, we were repeatedly passing on this advice to you, that if a certain person is not continuously willing (or: does not normally want, purpose or intend) to habitually work, let him neither be habitually eating."

11 For we continually hear [that] some among you are constantly walking about disorderly (a military term: out of rank and not taking part in the battle; = living with irregular conduct), continuously working [at] nothing, but further, are constantly working in the periphery (or: circumventing work; or: = being “busybodies” and meddling)."

12 But to such people we are now passing along this advice, and calling [them] alongside to encourage, exhort, admonish, bring relief and entreat [them] through [other MSS: within; in union with] our Lord, Jesus Christ, to the end that, habitually working with quietness (or: silence), they may continuously eat their own bread (= food which came from their own work)."

13 Yet you yourselves, brothers (= fellow believers, or, family), while continually doing well (performing beautifully; creating the ideal; doing finely), you should not at any point be in a bad disposition (or: be or do from out of what is ugly, worthless or of poor quality)."

14 But if a certain person continuously does not obey (or: listen under and humbly pay attention to) our word (or: message; logos; thought and idea) through this letter, you folks be regularly noting this person (or: let it be a sign to you regarding this one) and do not constantly mix yourselves together with him or her, to the end that he or she can (or: would) be turned about (or: be turned back upon himself [= to consider his situation and behavior])."

15 And yet you must not consider [him or her] as an enemy, but rather you must continuously admonish (or: put [him/her] in mind), as (or: as being) a brother [to him or her]."

16 Now may the Lord of the peace (or: the Lord [= Christ or Yahweh] Who is peace and harmony [= shalom]), Himself, at once give the peace to you folks through everything (or: through all humanity; through all [time] and every [situation]), within every turn (or: in every way; [other MSS read: within every place]). The Lord [Christ or Yahweh] [is] with all of you."

17 The greeting (salutation) is by my hand – Paul's – which is a sign in every letter; thus, in this way, I normally (or: from time to time) write."

18 The grace and joyous favor of our Lord, Jesus Christ, [is] with all of you folks! Amen. [written circa A. D. 50-51 – Based on the critical analysis of John A.T. Robinson]"