For we know, brothers whom God so loves, that he has chosen you,

so that you set an example to all the believers in Macedonia and Greece.

For the Lord's message has rung out from you not only over Macedonia and Greece, but the story of your belief in God has gone everywhere, so that we never need to mention it.

You know yourselves, brothers, that our visit to you was far from ineffectual.

That was the kind of affection we had for you, which made us ready to share with you not only God's good news but our own lives too, because you were so dear to us.

For you, brothers, followed the example of God's churches in Judea that are in union with Christ Jesus, for you in your turn had to bear the same ill-treatment from your neighbors as they did from the Jews,

try to keep us from speaking to the heathen so that they may be saved, so as always to fill up the measure of their sins. But God's wrath has overtaken them at last!

and encourage you not to be led astray, any of you, in all these troubles. You know yourselves that this is what we must expect,

for when we were with you, we told you beforehand that we were going to have trouble, and it came true, as you know.

That was why, when I could not bear it any longer, I sent to find out about your faith, for I was afraid that the tempter might have tempted you and all our labor might be lost.

But now that Timothy has just come back to me from you, and brought me good news of your faith and love, and told me how kindly you think of me and that you long to see me just as much as I long to see you,

as I pray night and day with intense earnestness that I may see your faces and supply what is lacking in your faith?

so that your hearts may be strong and faultlessly pure in the sight of our God and Father, when our Lord Jesus appears with all his saints!

Now, brothers, we ask and entreat you, in the name of the Lord Jesus, to live as you learned from us that you must live, to please God??s indeed you are doing, only do it more and more.

It is God's will that you should be consecrated, that you abstain from immorality,

that each of you learn to take a wife for himself from pure and honorable motives,

so that you may have the respect of the outsiders, and not be dependent upon anybody.

For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, then by means of Jesus God will bring back with him those who have fallen asleep.

For we can assure you, on the Lord's own authority, that those of us who will still be living when the Lord comes will have no advantage over those who have fallen asleep.

for you yourselves know perfectly well that the Day of the Lord is to come like a thief in the night.

But you are not in darkness, brothers, so that that Day should surprise you like thieves.

who died for us so that whether we are still alive or fall asleep we may live with him.

Take care that none of you ever pays back evil for evil, but always try to treat one another and everybody with kindness.