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Today's Bible Reading :: 1 Thessalonians 1 - 5 (ESV)

1 Thessalonians 1Listen to the passage

1 Thessalonians 2Listen to the passage

1 Thessalonians 3Listen to the passage

1 Thessalonians 4Listen to the passage

1 Thessalonians 5Listen to the passage

1 Thessalonians 1

Greeting

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Th 1:1

Unchecked Copy Box1Th 1:1 - Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace.

The Thessalonians’ Faith and Example

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Th 1:2

Unchecked Copy Box1Th 1:2 - We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly[fn] mentioning you in our prayers,

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Th 1:3

Unchecked Copy Box1Th 1:3 - remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Th 1:4

Unchecked Copy Box1Th 1:4 - For we know, brothers[fn] loved by God, that he has chosen you,

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Th 1:5

Unchecked Copy Box1Th 1:5 - because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake.

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Th 1:6

Unchecked Copy Box1Th 1:6 - And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit,

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Th 1:7

Unchecked Copy Box1Th 1:7 - so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia.

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Th 1:8

Unchecked Copy Box1Th 1:8 - For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything.

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Th 1:9

Unchecked Copy Box1Th 1:9 - For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God,

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Th 1:10

Unchecked Copy Box1Th 1:10 - and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.
ESV Footnotes
Or without ceasing
Or brothers and sisters. In New Testament usage, depending on the context, the plural Greek word adelphoi (translated “brothers”) may refer either to brothers or to brothers and sisters

1 Thessalonians 2

Paul’s Ministry to the Thessalonians

(cf. Act 17:1–9 )

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Th 2:1

Unchecked Copy Box1Th 2:1 - For you yourselves know, brothers,[fn] that our coming to you was not in vain.

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Th 2:2

Unchecked Copy Box1Th 2:2 - But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict.

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Th 2:3

Unchecked Copy Box1Th 2:3 - For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive,

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Th 2:4

Unchecked Copy Box1Th 2:4 - but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts.

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Th 2:5

Unchecked Copy Box1Th 2:5 - For we never came with words of flattery,[fn] as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness.

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Th 2:6

Unchecked Copy Box1Th 2:6 - Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ.

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Th 2:7

Unchecked Copy Box1Th 2:7 - But we were gentle[fn] among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children.

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Th 2:8

Unchecked Copy Box1Th 2:8 - 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.

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Th 2:9

Unchecked Copy Box1Th 2:9 - For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God.

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Th 2:10

Unchecked Copy Box1Th 2:10 - You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers.

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Th 2:11

Unchecked Copy Box1Th 2:11 - For you know how, like a father with his children,

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Th 2:12

Unchecked Copy Box1Th 2:12 - we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Th 2:13

Unchecked Copy Box1Th 2:13 - And we also thank God constantly[fn] for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men[fn] but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Th 2:14

Unchecked Copy Box1Th 2:14 - For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea. For you suffered the same things from your own countrymen as they did from the Jews,[fn]

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Th 2:15

Unchecked Copy Box1Th 2:15 - who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out, and displease God and oppose all mankind

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Th 2:16

Unchecked Copy Box1Th 2:16 - by hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles that they might be saved—so as always to fill up the measure of their sins. But wrath has come upon them at last![fn]

Paul’s Longing to See Them Again

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Th 2:17

Unchecked Copy Box1Th 2:17 - But since we were torn away from you, brothers, for a short time, in person not in heart, we endeavored the more eagerly and with great desire to see you face to face,

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Th 2:18

Unchecked Copy Box1Th 2:18 - because we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, again and again—but Satan hindered us.

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Th 2:19

Unchecked Copy Box1Th 2:19 - For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you?

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Th 2:20

Unchecked Copy Box1Th 2:20 - For you are our glory and joy.
ESV Footnotes
Or brothers and sisters; also verses 9, 14, 17
Or with a flattering speech
Some manuscripts infants
Or without ceasing
The Greek word anthropoi can refer to both men and women
The Greek word Ioudaioi can refer to Jewish religious leaders, and others under their influence, who opposed the Christian faith in that time
Or completely, or forever

1 Thessalonians 3

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Th 3:1

Unchecked Copy Box1Th 3:1 - Therefore when we could bear it no longer, we were willing to be left behind at Athens alone,

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Th 3:2

Unchecked Copy Box1Th 3:2 - and we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s coworker[fn] in the gospel of Christ, to establish and exhort you in your faith,

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Th 3:3

Unchecked Copy Box1Th 3:3 - that no one be moved by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this.

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Th 3:4

Unchecked Copy Box1Th 3:4 - For when we were with you, we kept telling you beforehand that we were to suffer affliction, just as it has come to pass, and just as you know.

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Th 3:5

Unchecked Copy Box1Th 3:5 - For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to learn about your faith, for fear that somehow the tempter had tempted you and our labor would be in vain.

Timothy’s Encouraging Report

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Th 3:6

Unchecked Copy Box1Th 3:6 - But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us the good news of your faith and love and reported that you always remember us kindly and long to see us, as we long to see you—

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Th 3:7

Unchecked Copy Box1Th 3:7 - for this reason, brothers,[fn] in all our distress and affliction we have been comforted about you through your faith.

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Th 3:8

Unchecked Copy Box1Th 3:8 - For now we live, if you are standing fast in the Lord.

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Th 3:9

Unchecked Copy Box1Th 3:9 - For what thanksgiving can we return to God for you, for all the joy that we feel for your sake before our God,

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Th 3:10

Unchecked Copy Box1Th 3:10 - as we pray most earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith?

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Th 3:11

Unchecked Copy Box1Th 3:11 - Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you,

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Th 3:12

Unchecked Copy Box1Th 3:12 - and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you,

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Th 3:13

Unchecked Copy Box1Th 3:13 - so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.
ESV Footnotes
Some manuscripts servant
Or brothers and sisters

1 Thessalonians 4

A Life Pleasing to God

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Th 4:1

Unchecked Copy Box1Th 4:1 - Finally, then, brothers,[fn] we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more.

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Th 4:2

Unchecked Copy Box1Th 4:2 - For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus.

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Th 4:3

Unchecked Copy Box1Th 4:3 - For this is the will of God, your sanctification:[fn] that you abstain from sexual immorality;

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Th 4:4

Unchecked Copy Box1Th 4:4 - that each one of you know how to control his own body[fn] in holiness and honor,

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Th 4:5

Unchecked Copy Box1Th 4:5 - not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God;

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Th 4:6

Unchecked Copy Box1Th 4:6 - that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you.

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Th 4:7

Unchecked Copy Box1Th 4:7 - For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness.

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Th 4:8

Unchecked Copy Box1Th 4:8 - Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Th 4:9

Unchecked Copy Box1Th 4:9 - Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another,

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Th 4:10

Unchecked Copy Box1Th 4:10 - for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more,

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Th 4:11

Unchecked Copy Box1Th 4:11 - and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you,

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Th 4:12

Unchecked Copy Box1Th 4:12 - so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.

The Coming of the Lord

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Th 4:13

Unchecked Copy Box1Th 4:13 - But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Th 4:14

Unchecked Copy Box1Th 4:14 - For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Th 4:15

Unchecked Copy Box1Th 4:15 - For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord,[fn] that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep.

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Th 4:16

Unchecked Copy Box1Th 4:16 - For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Th 4:17

Unchecked Copy Box1Th 4:17 - Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Th 4:18

Unchecked Copy Box1Th 4:18 - Therefore encourage one another with these words.
ESV Footnotes
Or brothers and sisters; also verses 10, 13
Or your holiness
Or how to take a wife for himself; Greek how to possess his own vessel
Or by the word of the Lord

1 Thessalonians 5

The Day of the Lord

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Th 5:1

Unchecked Copy Box1Th 5:1 - Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers,[fn] you have no need to have anything written to you.

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Th 5:2

Unchecked Copy Box1Th 5:2 - For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Th 5:3

Unchecked Copy Box1Th 5:3 - While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Th 5:4

Unchecked Copy Box1Th 5:4 - But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief.

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Th 5:5

Unchecked Copy Box1Th 5:5 - For you are all children[fn] of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness.

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Th 5:6

Unchecked Copy Box1Th 5:6 - So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober.

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Th 5:7

Unchecked Copy Box1Th 5:7 - For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night.

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Th 5:8

Unchecked Copy Box1Th 5:8 - But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Th 5:9

Unchecked Copy Box1Th 5:9 - For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Th 5:10

Unchecked Copy Box1Th 5:10 - who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him.

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Th 5:11

Unchecked Copy Box1Th 5:11 - Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

Final Instructions and Benediction

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Th 5:12

Unchecked Copy Box1Th 5:12 - We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you,

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Th 5:13

Unchecked Copy Box1Th 5:13 - and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Th 5:14

Unchecked Copy Box1Th 5:14 - And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle,[fn] encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Th 5:15

Unchecked Copy Box1Th 5:15 - See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone.

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Th 5:16

Unchecked Copy Box1Th 5:16 - Rejoice always,

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Th 5:17

Unchecked Copy Box1Th 5:17 - pray without ceasing,

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Th 5:18

Unchecked Copy Box1Th 5:18 - give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Th 5:19

Unchecked Copy Box1Th 5:19 - Do not quench the Spirit.

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Th 5:20

Unchecked Copy Box1Th 5:20 - Do not despise prophecies,

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Th 5:21

Unchecked Copy Box1Th 5:21 - but test everything; hold fast what is good.

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Th 5:22

Unchecked Copy Box1Th 5:22 - Abstain from every form of evil.

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Th 5:23

Unchecked Copy Box1Th 5:23 - Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Th 5:24

Unchecked Copy Box1Th 5:24 - He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Th 5:25

Unchecked Copy Box1Th 5:25 - Brothers, pray for us.

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Th 5:26

Unchecked Copy Box1Th 5:26 - Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss.

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Th 5:27

Unchecked Copy Box1Th 5:27 - I put you under oath before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers.

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Unchecked Copy Box 1Th 5:28

Unchecked Copy Box1Th 5:28 - The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
See the ESV Preface
ESV Footnotes
Or brothers and sisters; also verses 4, 12, 14, 25, 26, 27
Or sons; twice in this verse
Or disorderly, or undisciplined
ESV

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version copyright © 2001, 2007, 2011, 2016, 2025 by Crossway Books and Bibles, a Publishing Ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

See detailed copyright information.

For more information on this translation, see the ESV Preface.

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