Chapter 1 (1 - 5)

From Paul, Silvanus and Timothy to the Church in Thessalonika:
grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ

We take special pride in you because of your perseverance,
despite persecutions and other troubles you have to face

People who refuse to accept the Good News are facing an eternal penalty: to be excluded forever from the presence of the Lord

So we pray that God will help you be the sort of people he wants you to be. In this way our Lord Jesus Christ will be glorified in you

Jesus,  help me "keep going" when trials come

Chapter 2 (1 - 17)

Regarding the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ,
don't be deceived by wild speculation

Stand firm in your faith and avoid speculation

Keep the traditions we taught you, whether by word of mouth or by letter

May God strengthen you in everything good you do or say

Jesus, stop people spreading false information

Chapter 3 (1 - 5)

Pray that the Lord's message may spread quickly,
and be received with honor as it was by yourselves

Pray that we may be protected from the interference of bigoted people

May your hearts focus on the love of God our Father
and the fortitude of Christ

Jesus, don't let bigoted people influence me

Chapter 3 (10 - 16)

We gave you a rule when we were with you:
not to let anyone have any food if he refused to do any work

Yet we hear that some of you are living in idleness, doing no work themselves but interfering with everyone else's work

In the Lord Jesus Christ, we order and call on such people
to go on quietly working and earning the food that they eat

Never grow tired of doing what is right

May the Lord of peace give you peace always and everywhere

Jesus, don't let me interfere in other people's business