We know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you,

For you yourselves know, brothers and sisters, about our coming to you -- it has not proven to be purposeless.

But although we suffered earlier and were mistreated in Philippi, as you know, we had the courage in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in spite of much opposition.

For we never appeared with flattering speech, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed -- God is our witness --

As you know, we treated each one of you as a father treats his own children,

So when we could bear it no longer, we decided to stay on in Athens alone.

so that no one would be shaken by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this.

For in fact when we were with you, we were telling you in advance that we would suffer affliction, and so it has happened, as you well know.

So when I could bear it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith, for fear that the tempter somehow tempted you and our toil had proven useless.

But now Timothy has come to us from you and given us the good news of your faith and love and that you always think of us with affection and long to see us just as we also long to see you!

For now we are alive again, if you stand firm in the Lord.

Now may God our Father himself and our Lord Jesus direct our way to you.

For you know what commands we gave you through the Lord Jesus.

that each of you know how to possess his own body in holiness and honor,

not in lustful passion like the Gentiles who do not know God.

In this matter no one should violate the rights of his brother or take advantage of him, because the Lord is the avenger in all these cases, as we also told you earlier and warned you solemnly.

Now on the topic of brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another.

Now we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve like the rest who have no hope.

Now on the topic of times and seasons, brothers and sisters, you have no need for anything to be written to you.

For you know quite well that the day of the Lord will come in the same way as a thief in the night.

Now when they are saying, "There is peace and security," then sudden destruction comes on them, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will surely not escape.

Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who labor among you and preside over you in the Lord and admonish you,

See that no one pays back evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good for one another and for all.

Now may the God of peace himself make you completely holy and may your spirit and soul and body be kept entirely blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.