Moreover, you began to follow the pattern I set you, and the Lord's also, receiving the word with joy in the Holy Spirit, although amid severe persecution.

For the word of the Lord has been sounded forth from you, and its sound has been heard not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place where the tidings of your faith toward God have been spread abroad, so that I have no need to speak of it.

But as my fitness to be entrusted with the gospel has been tested and approved by God, I so speak, not to please men, but to please God, who is testing my motives.

Now was I seeking glory from men, either yourselves or others, although I might have exercised authority as Christ's apostle.

So in my fond affection it was my joy to give you, not only the gospel of God, but my very life also, because you had become dear to me.

You recall, brothers, my labor and toil; how, while working at my trade day and night, so as not to become a burden to any of you, I proclaimed to you the gospel of God.

You are witnesses??nd so is God??ow pure and just and blameless was my behavior among you believers.

For what is my hope, or joy? What is the victor's wreath in which I exult? What but your own selves in the presence of our Lord Jesus, at his coming!

And so, when I could no longer bear it, I made up my mind to be left behind at Athens, all alone.

I sent Timothy, my brother and God's fellow worker in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen you and to hearten you in your faith.

So that no one should be shaken by these troubles??or you know well that we are appointed to troubles.

For even when I was with you I used to tell you beforehand that I was to suffer affliction; and so it proved, as you know.

So, when I could no longer endure it, I sent to find out about your faith, fearing that the tempter had tempted you and that my labor had been in vain.

But now that Timothy has returned from you to me, and has brought good news of your faith and love, and that you are still holding me in affectionate remembrance, always longing to see me as I also am longing to see you.

Night and day I am praying earnestly that I may see you face to face, and may perfect whatever is yet lacking in your faith.

And so may he establish your hearts unblameable in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus, with all his saints.

Finally then, my brothers, I continue to beseech and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that, as you learned of me how to walk so as to please God??nd you are actually doing so??hat you abound in it yet more and more.

For this is God's will, even your sanctification; that you should abstain from sexual vice.

So that he who rejects this is not rejecting man, but the God who gave you his Holy Spirit.

So that your conduct may be seemly toward those that are without, and that you may not need help from any man.

For if we really believe that Jesus died and rose again, so even so will God through Jesus bring with him those also who have fallen asleep.

And afterwards we who are alive, who remain, shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air; and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

So comfort one another with these words.

So then let us not be sleeping as do the rest, but let us be watchful and self-controlled.

So comfort one another, and try to build one another up, as indeed you are doing.

Esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. Live in peace among yourselves.