1 Thessalonians 2:13-16 - The Thessalonians' Response To Paul's Message

¹³ For this cause also we thank God without ceasing, that having received from us the word to hear from God, ye received it not as the word of men, (but as it is in truth) the word of God, which effectually works in you that believe. ¹⁴ For ye, brethren, have been imitators in Christ Jesus of the congregations of God which are in Judaea, for ye also have suffered like things of your own nation, even as they have of the Jews, ¹⁵ who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets and have persecuted us, and they do not please God and are contrary to all men, ¹⁶ forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up the measure of their sins always, for the wrath of God has come upon them to the uttermost.