for we are persuaded, my brethren, that you are the peculiar objects of divine favour;

And you are satisfied, my brethren, that our address to you was not fallacious:

for you remember, my brethren, our labour and toil: how we worked day and night, that in preaching the gospel of God, we might not be chargeable to any of you.

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,

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.

Thus, my brethren, your conduct has given us great consolation, under all our persecutions and distress.

whilst night and day we make our ardent requests to him, that we may once more be present with you, that nothing may be wanting to the perfection of your faith?

now may God our father, and our Lord Jesus Christ remove all the obstructions of our journey to you.

may the Lord make you increase and abound in mutual love, in love towards all men, as we do towards you:

that by the sanctity of your affections, you may stand unreprov'd in the presence of God our father, when our Lord Jesus Christ shall come with all his holy angels.

Finally, my brethren, we intreat and conjure you by the Lord Jesus Christ, to observe the instructions we gave you about your religious conduct, and to make continual progress therein.

he therefore that violates these precepts, does not despise man, but God, who has endued me with his holy spirit.

so that your way of life may stand fair to the world, and prevent your being dependent upon any man.

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.

It is not necessary, my brethren, to specify the exact time:

but you, my brethren, are too well inform'd to be surpriz'd by that day, as by a thief.

that whether we happen to be alive or dead, we may be secure of living with him.

Now may the God of peace make you intirely holy: may every part of you, your spirit, soul, and body be preserved irreprovable at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

My brethren, pray for us.

I conjure you by the Lord, that this epistle may be read to all our christian brethren.