Because the Good News that we brought came home to you, not merely as so many words, but with a power and a fulness of conviction due to the Holy Spirit. For you know the life that we lived among you for your good.

For, although we had experienced suffering and ill-treatment, as you know, at Philippi, we had the courage, by the help of our God, to tell you God's Good News in spite of great opposition.

Never at any time, as you know, did we use the language of flattery, or make false professions in order to hide selfish aims. God will bear witness to that.

Nor did we seek to win honour from men, whether from you or from others, although, as Apostles of Christ, we might have burdened you with our support.

In our strong affection for you, that seemed to us the best way of sharing with you, not only God's Good news, but our very lives as well--so dear had you become to us.

You will not have forgotten, Brothers, our labor and toil. Night and day we used to work at our trades, so as not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you God's Good News.

This, too, is a reason why we, on our part, are continually thanking God--because, in receiving the teaching that you had from us, you accepted it, not as the teaching of man, but as what it really is--the teaching of God, which is even now doing its work within you who believe in Christ.

For you, Brothers, began to follow the example of the Churches of God in Judea which are in union with Jesus Christ; you, in your turn, suffering at the hands of your fellow-citizens, in the same way as those Churches did at the hands of the Jews--

As for ourselves, Brothers, our having been bereaved of you even for a short time--though in body only, and not in spirit--made us all the more eager to see your faces again; and the longing to do so was strong upon us.

And so, as we could bear it no longer, we made up our minds to remain behind alone at Athens,

For, even while we were with you, we warned you beforehand that we were certain to encounter trouble. And so it proved, as you know.

But, when Timothy recently returned to us from you with good news of your faith and love, and told us how kindly you think of us--always longing, he said, to see us, just as we are longing to see you--

And for you, may the Lord fill you to overflowing with love for one another and for every one, just as we are filled with love for you;

Further, Brothers, we beg and exhort you in the name of our Lord Jesus to carry out more fully than ever--as indeed you are already doing--all that you have heard from us as to what your daily life must be, if it is to please God.

None of you over-reaching or taking advantage of his Brother in such matters. 'The Lord takes vengeance' upon all who do such things, as we have already warned you and solemnly declared.

As to love for the Brethren there is no need to write to you; for you have yourselves been taught by God to love one another;

Make it your ambition to live quietly, and to attend to your own business, and to work with your hands, as we directed you;

For, as we believe that Jesus died and rose again, so also we believe that God will bring, with Jesus, those who through him have passed to their rest.

But as to the times and the moments, there is no need, Brothers, for any one to write to you.

You yourselves know well that the Day of the Lord will come just as a thief comes in the night.

You, however, Brothers, are not in darkness, that the daylight should take you by surprise as if you were thieves.

Therefore let us not sleep as others do. No, let us be watchful and self-controlled.

But let us, who belong to the Day, control ourselves, and put on faith and love as a breast plate, and the hope of Salvation as a helmet.

Therefore encourage one another, and try to build up one another's characters, as indeed you are doing.

Under all circumstances give thanks to God. For this is his will for you as made known in Christ Jesus.