Brothers and sisters beloved by God, we know that He has chosen you;

For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.

for the word of the Lord sounded out from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place your faith which is towards God has gone abroad, so that we have no need to say anything;

and to [look forward and confidently] wait for [the coming of] His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead—Jesus, who [personally] rescues us from the coming wrath [and draws us to Himself, granting us all the privileges and rewards of a new life with Him].

For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain:

But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention.

For our appeal does not rest on a delusion, nor spring from any impure motive; there is no fraud about it.

no, God has attested our fitness to be entrusted with the gospel, and so we tell the gospel not to satisfy men but to satisfy the God who tests our hearts.

For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness:

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

no, we behaved gently when we were among you, like a nursing mother cherishing her own children,

For you remember, brethren, our labor and toil: night and day working, that we should burden no one of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.

As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children,

And for this further reason we render unceasing thanks to God, that when you received God's Message from our lips, it was as no mere message from men that you embraced it, but as--what it really is--God's Message, which also does its work in the hearts of you who believe.

Now, we, brethren, having been bereaved away from you, for the season of an hour, - in presence, not in heart, gave more abundant diligence, your face, to behold, with much longing;

Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone;

That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto.

For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know.

For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain.

But now when Timotheus came from you unto us, and brought us good tidings of your faith and charity, and that ye have good remembrance of us always, desiring greatly to see us, as we also to see you:

For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.

Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you.

And last of all, the prayer which we make to you from our heart and in the name of the Lord Jesus, is this: that as we made clear to you what sort of behaviour is pleasing to God, as in fact you are doing now, so you will go on in these ways, but more and more.

For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus.

That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;

Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God:

That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.

But concerning love of the brethren ye have no need that one write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another;

that ye may walk reputably towards those without, and may have need of no one.

But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we that are alive, that are left unto the coming of the Lord, shall in no wise precede them that are fallen asleep.

Now then, encourage one another with these words.

But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.

For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.

When they are saying, Peace and safety, then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall in no wise escape.

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

And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;

Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.

See that no one render to any evil for evil, but pursue always what is good towards one another and towards all;

in every situation [no matter what the circumstances] be thankful and continually give thanks to God; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.

Now the God of peace himself sanctify you wholly: and your whole spirit, and soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.