for, my brethren, you have followed the example of the christian churches in Judea; by having suffer'd the same persecutions from your own nation, as the churches have suffer'd from the Jews,

the very men who have persecuted the Lord Jesus, and the prophets even to death; who have persecuted us; they who are regardless of pleasing the deity, and are enemies to all mankind;

As for me, my brethren, having been so abruptly separated from you, in person, tho' not in affection, I have the more ardently endeavour'd to see you again.

this I Paul have frequently attempted, but Satan has been my obstacle.

not being able therefore to wait any longer, I sent Timothy to know the state of your faith, for fear the tempter should have seduc'd you, and all our labour have prov'd abortive.

how can I be sufficiently thankful to God upon your account, for all the joy, which by your means we have been affected with,

that no man should be exorbitant, and behave contumeliously to his brother: because the Lord is the avenger of all such crimes, as we have formerly remonstrated to you.

As to brotherly love, I have no occasion to write about it, God himself having instructed you to love one another.

Now I would not have you, my brethren, be mistaken about the state of the dead, lest you should be as greatly afflicted as those, who have no hope.

for one thing I have in charge to tell you from the Lord, that we, who shall be found still alive at the coming of the Lord, shall not get the advance of those that are dead:

wherefore comfort and edify one another, as you have hitherto done.