remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

to live a life worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.

But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us the good news of your faith and love and reported that you always remember us kindly and long to see us, just as we long to see you

for now we really live, if you stand firm in the Lord.

and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we do for you,

Finally, brethren, we request and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that as you learned from us how you ought to live and to please God, just as you are doing, you do so more and more.

Now concerning love of the brethren you have no need to have any one write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another;

and indeed you do love all the brethren throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, to do so more and more.

Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you,

so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anyone.

But, since we belong to the day, let us be sober, and put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation.

who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with him.

and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another.