The Good News that we brought you did not come to you in words only, but also with power and with the Holy Spirit and with much certainty, for you know the sort of men we became among you, as examples for your sakes.

For you yourselves, brethren, know that our visit to you did not fail of its purpose.

For you know that we acted towards every one of you as a father does towards his own children, encouraging and cheering you,

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.

So when we could endure it no longer, we decided to remain behind in Athens alone;

that none of you might be unnerved by your present trials: for you yourselves know that they are our appointed lot.

For even when we were with you, we forewarned you, saying, "We are soon to suffer affliction;" and this actually happened, as you well know.

For this reason I also, when I could no longer endure the uncertainty, sent to know the condition of your faith, lest perchance the Tempter might have tempted you and our labour have been lost.

But now that Timothy has recently come back to us from you, and has brought us the happy tidings of your faith and love, and has told us how you still cherish a constant and affectionate recollection of us, and are longing to see us as we also long to see you--

For now life is for us life indeed, since you are standing fast in the Lord.

For you know the commands which we laid upon you by the authority of the Lord Jesus.

that each man among you shall know how to procure a wife who shall be his own in purity and honour;

that you be not overmastered by lustful cravings, like the Gentiles who have no knowledge of God;

and that in this matter there be no encroaching on the rights of a brother Christian and no overreaching him. For the Lord is an avenger in all such cases, as we have already taught you and solemnly warned you.

Now, concerning those who from time to time pass away, we would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, lest you should mourn as others do who have no hope.

For you yourselves know perfectly well that the day of the Lord comes like a thief in the night.

Now we beg you, brethren, to show respect for those who labour among you and are your leaders in Christian work, and are your advisers;

See to it that no one ever repays another with evil for evil; but always seek opportunities of doing good both to one another and to all the world.