OrthJBC - I Thessalonians

Chapter 1

1:1  From Sha'ul and Silvanus (Sila) and Timotiyos. To the kehillah of the inhabitants of the city of Thessalonika, the kehillah in Hashem, in Elohim HaAv and in Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach Adoneinu Yehoshua. Chen v'Chesed Hashem and Shalom Hashem to you. HODINU L'HASHEM FOR THE KEHILLAH'S EMUNAH AND MOFET

1:2  Hodinu l'Hashem (We give thanks to Hashem) always for all of you, with zikaron (remembrance) during our davening, without ceasing

1:3  in our tefillos recalling before our G-d and Avinu your work of emunah, your labor of ahavah (agape), and your perseverance of tikvah in Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach Adoneinu Yeshoshua,

1:4  knowing, Achim b'Moshiach ahuvei Hashem (Brothers in Moshiach beloved of G-d), your bechirah (election).

1:5  For our Besuras HaGeulah did not come to you in mere locution but indeed in gevurah (power i.e. miracles) and in the Ruach HaKodesh and in full bittachon (confidence), just as you know what sort of men we were among you for your sake.

1:6  And you became imitators of us and of the L-rd, having received the Dvar Hashem (the Word of the L-rd) in much redifah (persecution) with the simcha of the Ruach HaKodesh,

1:7  with the result that you became a mofet (portent), even a role model for all the ma'aminim (believers) in the territory of Macedonia [a Roman province in northern Greece] and in Achaia [a Roman province of southern Greece].

1:8  For from you the Dvar Hashem has resounded not only in Macedonia and in Achaia, but also in every place to which your emunah b'Hashem (faith in G-d) has gone forth, with the result that we have no need to say anything. GOYIM TURNING FROM AVODAH ZARAH TO AWAIT THE BIAS HAMOSHIACH

1:9  For they themselves (the ma'aminim b'Moshiach in Macedonia and Achaia) are reporting about us, what sort of initial reception we had with you, and how you made teshuva, turning to Hashem from elilim (idols), from Avodah Zarah (Idol Worship), turning to worship the Elohim Chayyim and Elohei Emes (the Living G-d and the True G-d),

1:10  and to expect [Moshiach] Ben Elohim from Shomayim whom Hashem raised from the mesim (the dead, the corpses)--Yehoshua, Moshieynu (our Deliverer) from the chori af haba (the wrath to come).

Chapter 2

2:1  But you yourselves know, Chaverim b'Moshiach, that our initial reception with you was not empty of result.

2:2  On the contrary, having suffered before and having been shamefully persecuted (as you know) in Philippi, we had the chozek b'Eloheynu (strength in our G-d) to speak to you the Besuras HaGeulah of Hashem in the face of tzorrim rabbim (great and oppressive enemy opposition).

2:3  For our appeal, our edut (testimony), does not spring from toyus or meshuga delusion or from tum'a (uncleanness) or from remiyah (guile, deceit).

2:4  On the contrary, in this way we speak: as persons examined and approved by G-d to be entrusted with the Besuras HaGeulah of Hashem, as striving to please not men but Hashem who tests, who examines, our levavot.

2:5  Nor did we ever come with divrei chanuppah (words of flattery), as you know, nor with pretext for chamdanut (greed)-- Hashem 'ed! (G-d is my witness!)--

2:6  nor seeking kavod from men, neither from you nor from others.

2:7  Even though we had the samchut [authority] to be able to throw our weight around as Shluchim (Emissaries) of Moshiach, yet we became anav (humble) and eidel (gentle) among you, as a nursing em (mother) might take care of her own yeladim.

2:8  Thus having yearned for you, it was our good pleasure to share with you not only the Besuras HaGeulah of Hashem, but also our very lives, because you became beloved chaverim to us.

2:9  For remember, Achim b'Moshiach, our labor and toil yomam valailah working for the purpose of not weighing down any one of you while we maggidim [for Moshiach] made the Hachrazah (Proclamation, Kyrygma) to you of the Besuras HaGeulah of Hashem.

2:10  You were edim (witnesses) and so is Hashem, with what kodesh and tzedek and tamim manner of shomer masoret (religious devotion) we acted toward you ma'aminim b'Moshiach,

2:11  for you know how we treated you, as an Abba treats his own yeladim,

2:12  exhorting you with divrei chizuk and comforting you, addressing you with solemn edut (testimony) that you let your derech (way of life), your hitnahagut (conduct), be to fier zich (comport oneself) in a manner worthy of Hashem, who summons you to His own Malchut and Kavod.

2:13  And for this reason also we constantly offer todot to Hashem that when you received (as authoritative teaching, as Ani Maamin) the Dvar Hashem, the Word of Hachrazah (Proclamation) from us, you received it not as the dvar haBnei Adam but, as it actually is, the Dvar Hashem, which also is at work in you who have emunah.

2:14  For you became imitators, chaverim, of the kehillot Hashem in Moshiach Yehoshua which are in Y'hudah, because you also were similarly persecuted by your own landsmannschaften, just as also they were by the ones in Y'hudah,

2:15  even the ones who killed [Moshiach] Adoneinu Yehoshua and killed the Nevi'im and persecuted us [Shluchim] severely. Indeed, they are not pleasing Hashem and are hostile to kol Bnei Adam,

2:16  by hindering us from speaking to the Goyim in order that the Goyim might be delivered. Thus they always make complete their peshaim (transgressions). So the chori af, the burning wrath, the furious retribution of Hashem has overtaken them at last. THE TIKVAH OF THE SHLIACH OF MOSHIACH TO VISIT THE KEHILLAH AGAIN IN SPITE OF THE HINDRANCE OF HASATAN

2:17  But you, Achim b'Moshiach, while we were separated from you for a short time (panim el panim, not b'lev), we made all the more effort in much desire to see your panim.

2:18  For we wanted to come to you. Indeed I, Sha'ul, did again and again; but Hasatan thwarted us.

2:19  For who is our tikvah or simcha or 'ateret to glory in before Adoneinu Yehoshua at His Parousia, at the Bias Moshiach--is it not you?

2:20  For you are our kavod and simcha.

Chapter 3

3:1  Therefore, when we could no longer endure it, we resolved to be left behind alone in Athens.

3:2  Also we sent Timotiyos, acheinu (our brother) and fellow po'el (worker) of Hashem in the Besuras HaGeulah of Moshiach. We sent Timotiyos in order to give you chozek (strength) and to speak divrei chizuk (words of encouragement) to you on behalf of our [orthodox Jewish] Emunah [of the true Dat haYehudit].

3:3  This was for the tachlis that no one be unsettled because of ES TZARAH. For you yourselves have da'as that we have a divine calendar date with ES TZARAH.

3:4  For hinei when we were with you we kept telling you beforehand that we were going to suffer redifah (persecution), just as also it came to pass, of which you have da'as.

3:5  For this reason, when I could no longer endure it, I sent in order to know your emunah, lest somehow [Hasatan Samma'el] haMenasseh (the Tempter) had ensnared you by nissayon (temptation) and our labor should be for nothing.

3:6  But, just now, when Timotiyos has come to us from you and has brought us good news of your [correct orthodox Jewish] Emunah and your ahavah (agape) and that you always have zochrim tovim (good memories) of us, yearning to see us, just as we yearn to see you.

3:7  For this reason, Achim b'Moshiach, in all our tzoros and redifah, we received chozek because of you through your [orthodox Jewish] emunah.

3:8  For now we have Chayyim if you have a firm standing and remain ne'emanot (faithful) in Hashem.

3:9  For what todot are we able to return to Hashem concerning you because of all the simcha with which we rejoice on account of you before Eloheynu,

3:10  as, yomam valailah, we are davening with all birtzinut (earnestness) in order to see your panim and to make complete what is lacking in your [orthodox Jewish] emunah?

3:11  And may Eloheynu and Avinu, may Hashem Himself and Adoneinu Yehoshua direct our way to you;

3:12  And may Hashem cause you to grow and to overflow and abound in ahavah (agape) for one another and for kol Bnei Adam, just as also we have ahavah (agape) for you,

3:13  with this tachlis: to establish your levavot faultless in kedusha (holiness) in the presence of Hashem and Avinu at the Bias of Adoneinu Yehoshua with all His Kedoshim. Omein.

Chapter 4

4:1  Lemaskana (finally), Achim b'Moshiach, we ask and exhort you in Adoneinu Yehoshua, in order that, just as you received (as authoritative tradition) from us how it is necessary for you to fier zich (comport oneself) in your derech (way of life) and to please Hashem (just as you in fact are carrying on your hitnahagut), so you should abound more and more.

4:2  For you know what mitzvot (commandments) we gave you through [Moshiach] Adoneinu Yehoshua.

4:3  For this is the ratson Hashem (the will of G-d), your kedusha (holiness), your consecration, that you abstain from zenut (fornication),

4:4  that each one of you [as kedoshim] have da'as of how to control your own k'li (vessel) in kedusha and kavod,

4:5  not in the passion of ta'avah (evil desire/lust) like Goyim who do not have da'as of Hashem;

4:6  that no man commit pesha and take advantage of one of his Achim b'Moshiach in this [sexual] matter, because Hashem is the Nokem (Avenger) concerning all these things, just as also we told you before and warned you.

4:7  For [as far as our bechirah (election) is concerned], Hashem did not summon us for (sexual) tu'ma (uncleanness) but in kedusha (holiness).

4:8  Therefore, the one rejecting this mitzvah (commandment) does not reject man but Hashem who gives to you His Ruach Hakodesh.

4:9  Concerning the matter of ahavah shel achvah (brotherly love), you have no need that we write you, for you yourselves are limudei Elohim (taught of G-d) to have ahavah (agape) one to another.

4:10  For indeed this you do toward all the Achim b'Moshiach in all of Macedonia. But in this we exhort you, Chaverim, to abound more and more. YOSHEVIM NEED A PARNASAH IF THEY ARE NOT SUPPORTING THEIR MISHPOCHAH

4:11  And have as your ambition to lead a quiet life of shalom bayis, and to mind your own business, and to have a parnasah, working with your own hands, according to the mitzvot (commandments) we gave you.

4:12  The tachlis is that the way your fier zich (comport oneself) in your derech (way of life) be conducted properly toward outsiders and that you might not be nitzrach (needy). THE BIAS MOSHIACH: WILL ANY MA'AMINIM BE LEFT OUT?

4:13  We do not want you lack da'as, chaverim, concerning those who have "fallen asleep." The tachlis is that you not have agmat nefesh (grief) like the rest, who do not have tikvah.

4:14  For, if we have an Ani Maamin belief that Yehoshua died and then stood up alive again in Moshiach's techiyas hamesim, even so, Hashem will bring with Him [Moshiach] those who have fallen asleep through Yehoshua.

4:15  For this we say to you by the Dvar Hashem, that we who are alive and have been left behind until the Bias Moshiach Adoneinu, may in no way be kodem (preceding) those who have fallen asleep.

4:16  For Adoneinu Himself, at the signal, at the voice of the Sar haMalachim (the Archangel), and at the shofar blast of Hashem, shall come down from Shomayim (heaven); and the mesim in Moshiach shall rise from the dead first.

4:17  Then [next in sequence], we who are alive and who have been left behind simultaneously with them shall be snatched up in the ananim (clouds) to meet Adoneinu in the air. And so always with Adoneinu we shall be.

4:18  Therefore, give chozek (strength) and speak divrei chizuk (words of encouragement), comforting one another with these words.

Chapter 5

5:1  But concerning the ittim (times) and the zmanim (seasons), Chaverim, you have no need for you to have anything in writing.

5:2  For you yourselves know very well that the Yom Hashem comes like a ganav balailah (thief in the night).

5:3  Whenever they say, "Shalom and Bittachon!" then sudden churban (destruction) will come upon them like the chevlei ledah (birth pangs) of the isha with a child in her womb. And they can certainly not escape.

5:4  But you, Achim b'Moshiach, are not in choshech that the Yom should overtake you like a ganav.

5:5  For all of you are Bnei Ohr and Bnei Yom; we are not of the Lailah nor of the Choshech.

5:6  Therefore, let us not "sleep" as the rest, but let us keep awake with zililut da'as (sober-mindedness).

5:7  For the ones sleeping sleep balailah and the ones indulging in shichrut (drunkenness) indulge in shichrut balailah.

5:8  But we, being Bnei Yom, let us be bnei zililut da'as (sons of sober-mindedness), having clothed ourselves with the choshen (breastplate) of emunah and ahavah (agape) and as a KOVAH (YESHAYAH 59:17) the tikvah of Yeshu'at Eloheynu.

5:9  Because Hashem did not appoint us to chori af (the burning wrath) but to the attainment of Yeshu'at Eloheynu through Adoneinu, Moshiach Yehoshua.

5:10  He is the one who died on our behalf al menat (in order that) whether we are [living] and awake or [passed away] and sleeping, we may live together with Moshiach.

5:11  Therefore, give chozek (strength) and encouragement, building up one another, as indeed you are doing. ON BATLANIM BEGINNING TO GAIN HAVANAH OF THE WORK OF HASHEM

5:12  Now we ask you, Achim b'Moshiach, to have havanah (understanding) and discern the ones laboring among you who are your Mashgichim Ruchaniyim (Spiritual Overseers) in Adoneinu, the ones who admonish and warn you.

5:13  And express chibbah (esteem) toward them most exceedingly in ahavah (agape), because of their work. Among yourselves, live in shalom bayis (family peace). WARNING AGAINST BATULLA (IDLENESS)

5:14  And we exhort you, Achim b'Moshiach, warn the batlanim (loafers, idlers), comfort the congregant who is mug-lev (faint-hearted), those who are weak take an interest in, have zitzfleisch (patience) with all.

5:15  See that no one returns ra'ah for ra'ah, but always pursue haTov both for one another and for all.

5:16  Have simcha always.

5:17  Daven unceasingly.

5:18  In everything offer todot, for this is the ratzon Hashem in Moshiach Yehoshua for you.

5:19  Do not quench the Ruach Hakodesh.

5:20  Do not reject nevu'ot (prophecies).

5:21  But test kol davar (everything); hold fast to haTov.

5:22  Abstain from every appearance of ra'ah (evil).

5:23  And now Elohei haShalom wholly set you apart as kedoshim and may your whole ruach and nefesh and basar be reserved without blame at the Bias of Moshiach Adoneinu Yehoshua.

5:24  Ne'eman (Faithful) is the One who summons you to your keri'ah (calling). He will do it.

5:25  Achim b'Moshiach, offer tefillos also concerning us.

5:26  Greet all the Achim b'Moshiach with a neshikat kedoshah.

5:27  By Adoneinu, I solemnly give you the mitzvah that this letter has to be read to all the Achim b'Moshiach.

5:28  The Chen v'Chesed of Adoneinu, Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach Yehoshua, be with you.