in that our gospel did not come to you merely in words, but in power and in the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction (surely you recall the character we displayed when we came among you to help you).

For from you the message of the Lord has echoed forth not just in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place reports of your faith in God have spread, so that we do not need to say anything.

But although we suffered earlier and were mistreated in Philippi, as you know, we had the courage in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in spite of much opposition.

but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we declare it, not to please people but God, who examines our hearts.

with such affection for you we were happy to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us.

And so we too constantly thank God that when you received God's message that you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human message, but as it truly is, God's message, which is at work among you who believe.

because they hinder us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved. Thus they constantly fill up their measure of sins, but wrath has come upon them completely.

But when we were separated from you, brothers and sisters, for a short time (in presence, not in affection) we became all the more fervent in our great desire to see you in person.

For we wanted to come to you (I, Paul, in fact tried again and again) but Satan thwarted us.

But now Timothy has come to us from you and given us the good news of your faith and love and that you always think of us with affection and long to see us just as we also long to see you!

For God did not call us to impurity but in holiness.

Consequently the one who rejects this is not rejecting human authority but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.

And indeed you are practicing it toward all the brothers and sisters in all of Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers and sisters, to do so more and more,

But you, brothers and sisters, are not in the darkness for the day to overtake you like a thief would.

So then we must not sleep as the rest, but must stay alert and sober.

But since we are of the day, we must stay sober by putting on the breastplate of faith and love and as a helmet our hope for salvation.

For God did not destine us for wrath but for gaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.

See that no one pays back evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good for one another and for all.

But examine all things; hold fast to what is good.